Coconut Curry Rice

I have a confession to make: there are some meals that I make only when my husband is out of town. Specifically, I usually make a lot of recipes that include curry or very hot peppers in them because while he enjoys a little spice, I really love the heat!

 

I remember my mom and dad telling me stories about my Grandpa sitting down to eat jalapeños, sweating profusely, with a huge smile on his face. I remember doing the same thing at a restaurant we were regulars at when we’d vacation in Albuquerque, eating salsa so hot that I had tears streaming down my smiling face. Isn’t it funny sometimes the small things we relate to in our family members? My Grandpa was always fairly quiet, but it makes me happy still to think about getting that love of spicy foods from him.

 

Realistically, curry doesn’t always have to be spicy; it provides a great depth of flavor in addition to heat, which makes the pairing with coconut so perfect. The heat is reduced by the creaminess and slight sweetness of the coconut milk, and rice is just the best vehicle to carry this sweet and spicy combination. But let’s be honest, rice is pretty much the best vehicle for almost anything!

There are a ton of serving options with this coconut curry rice. Even if you don’t love the idea of cooking ethnic food, simple grilled chicken and steamed vegetables make a great combination with coconut curry rice. For those of us who are a little more adventurous in our culinary tastes, any number of Indian or Thai dishes would be a great pairing too. Make it memorable by just making this rice – and watch the flavor explosion light up that ordinary meal!

 

Itchin’ for the recipe? Get it right here from Riceland!