Coconut Rice with Raisins

Coconut milk is a favourite in various dishes and sauces because of the distinct taste that it gives. Coconut Jollof Rice is a common Nigerian staple and I thought of how to make this rice in another way that kids will also love…raisins is it.

Yes, the sweet raisins we use in cakes can be added to rice too and they are fruits, which makes it a lot better than adding sugar. This coconut rice is everything delicious with full nutritious goodness including the vegetables. I grated the carrots rather than cutting in cubes for a difference. Also, doing away with the tomato also makes the vegetables look more attractive. It is easy to make and could be your perfect Sunday rice for the kids.

• 1½ cups parboiled rice
• 350g tin coconut milk or you can make your own using fresh coconuts, grating and getting the milk out.
• chicken stock or water – quantity depends on how done you want the rice
• ¾-1 cup raisins
• 2 medium carrots (grated)
• 1 bulb onion
• 1 cup peas or more  – depending on your preference
• Pepper (optional)
• 1 tsp of curry powder – just for a little touch of colour
• 1 seasoning cube and salt to taste
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil

Method:

1. Pour stock or water and coconut milk into a pot and allow to boil. You have to eyeball the quantity of water or stock so that it won’t be much. You can always add more later if the rice is not softened to your taste. Also, don’t cover the pot or the coconut milk will bubble and boil over.
2. Once it boils, add the seasoning cube, pepper and salt to taste. Add the rice and raisins, stir and put back on a low-medium heat. To avoid overcooking or a mushy rice, the liquid and the rice should be almost at the same level but this also depends on how long you parboiled your rice.
3. Meanwhile, heat the vegetable oil in a pan and add the onions. Fry together with the shredded carrots, curry powder and a little seasoning for about a minute or two.
4. Once the rice is cooked, remove from heat, add the carrot mix and the peas, then stir to combine well.  Don’t worry, the heat will cook the peas perfectly well and it will retain its freshness and nutrients.
5. Serve with meat, chicken or other sides.

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