Delicious mint coconut rice a great one pot meal goes with yogrut and papad or potato chips.Easy to put together flavor rich with fresh herbs and spices
We basically love to eat rice, and yes while growing up I had rice dishes 3 times a day. However, as my hubby is diabetics, rice is served only once a day. As I was looking for a new rice dish, I found this recipe from my home town magazine in local language, Malayalam. What I like about this recipe is that it is simple and easy to put together. Thus mint coconut rice born.
I won’t post any everyday cooking pictures in Instagram or Facebook. I think everybody knows we all eat 3 times a day, why showing off. I like to share the recipe when there is a story with it. I like to call this mint coconut rice as Mint chutney rice. Yes it is made with ground paste of mint, coriander, green chili and coconut. Here is the version of chutney I made with cilantro and coconut. I used basmati rice in this recipe; however you can use your favorite rice. Make sure to eat with some raita and papad or Lays potato chips. In Ayurveda, mint is considered as a cooling herb, with a sweet taste and a pungent aftertaste. Most varieties of mint are pacifying for all three doshas (bad effects), and especially helpful for balancing Pitta (The Pitta dosha is connected to digestion, metabolism, and energy production like acid reflux ,gastric or peptic ulcers, heartburn etc). Mint is good for digestion as well as for respiratory system health.
If you want to use left over rice or want to make a one pot meal, then this rice is best. I think Mint coconut chutney is condiment similar to pesto or chimichurri made by grinding or pureeing fresh herbs (mint and cilantro/coriander) with garlic, coconut, ginger, acid, and chilies one thing I always noticed that when there is mint there will be cilantro join together in Indian cuisine. Also without green chutney it is hard to think about any snack like samosa or bhel puri even pani puri.
I think this mint rice alone is enough, but get a side dish if you like one with rice. I prefer without any side dish. Here comes the recipe.
Mint Coconut Rice
Ingredients
- ¾ cup Basmati Rice
- ¾ cup packed mint leaves
- ½ cup packed cilantro/coriander leaves
- ¾ cup grated coconut
- 2 green chili
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ of one lime
- 1 inch ginger
- 1 garlic clove
- 2 tablespoon ghee
- 1 bay leaf
- 3 cardamom pods
- 3 cloves
- 1 inch cinnamon stick
- ½ cup chopped red onion
- 1 tablespoon mint leaves
- 10 to 15 cashew nuts I used roasted salted
Instructions
- Cook the basmati rice using 2 cups water with ¼ teaspoon salt. Drain and set aside.
- In a blender or food processor grind, mint, cilantro, 1 chili, ginger, garlic, ½ of lime juice and ½ teaspoon salt and ground it into fine paste with little water about 2 tablespoon .
- In a skillet heat ghee, cinnamon stick, bay leaves, cloves, cardamom and then add onion and green chili and fry until it changes color and aroma release from the spices. Then add ground mint coconut cilantro paste and continue to cook for 1-2 minutes.
- Then add rice and carefully mix in without breaking grains then add rest of salt and set aside.
- When you are ready to serve add mint, roasted cashew nuts.
- Serve with some yogurt and papadam or lay chips.
Notes
Grind, coconut, mint, cilantro, green chili, ginger, garlic, lime juice and salt and set aside. In a skillet heat ghee and add spices, green chili and onion and continue to cook until onion changes color. To this add mint-coconut- paste and cook for another 1-2 minutes. To this add cooked, drained rice and mix everything well. When you are ready to serve add cashew nuts and fresh mint. 
This is Swathi ( Dr. Ambujom Saraswathy Ph.D) from Zesty South Indian Kitchen who loves to explore cuisines from all over the world. Whenever possible I try to to give an Indian touch to several of the world cuisine, and has weakness for freshly baked bread. All the recipes you see here are created by me and approved after taste-test by my family.
Bonnie says
What a wonderful recipe. Can't wait to try this out. Yummy!
mjskitchen says
this is so much better than the coconut rice I make! Love the mint and chilis and everything else you add. Can't wait to make this. Looks absolutely delicious Swathi!
Kylee from Kylee Cooks says
This is so pretty! What a lovely side dish, the mint would be so cooling with a spicy dish!
Jean | DelightfulRepast.com says
Swathi, we LOVE rice! I just posted rice today! But I have never seen rice like this. I know we are going to love it. And it looks sooooo pretty. I have cilantro, just need to pick up some mint.
Jodi @ Create Kids Club says
We don't eat rice enough at my house. I love that you added flavor to this staple food. I can almost taste the mint coming through. Can't wait to give it a try!
Soniya says
How I love the flavor you have used in this rice.. simply love the combination of mint and coconut.. can't wait to try this ..yummy!!
Molly Kumar says
This looks so delicious!!! I love cooking with mint, it adds so much more taste n pretty color to dishes. Love it!
Dene' V. Alexander says
Goodness, this rice is full of wonderful flavors. Perfect side to any meat!!
Marisa Franca @ All Our Way says
I love the spices that are going on here. I think I have a tendency to just make a side dish of rice and then plop a stir-fry on top. This rates top billing not a co-starring role on the table. I'm pinning!!
Uma Srinivas says
My favorite rice. Very flavorful and simple rice for weekdays! Like the color of it and you added the coconut,that is interesting.
Linda @ Food Huntress says
My husband grew up eating rice everyday and still prefers it to other starches. Can't wait to try this one. I'm sure all the flavors will be delicious together!
Kathy McDaniel says
I grew up eating rice seven days a week. I love rice and this recipe is delicious! Love all the herbs and the coconut!!! Delicious
Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy says
I will be the first to say I have never tried mint in rice. We do love rice of all kinds. Coconut rice is a favourite around here. I will have to pick up some mint next time I am shopping.
Christine - Jar Of Lemons says
This sounds perfect! Love mint and coconut together. And rice! Definitely excited to try this recipe!
Noel Lizotte says
How pretty this rice dish is! No wonder you were tempted to try this recipe. I love the flavor combination, regardless of what language it's written in! LOL
Silvia says
I love rice, it's such a filling meal. Your version looks really good and delicious.
Veena Azmanov says
My Kids love this. I make something similar with lots of cilantro.. I can almost smell the flavor of mint and coconut.. Love this Swathi.
Jacqueline Meldrum says
That sounds really delicious, I shall have to try it. I have to admit we don't eat rice very often, but enjoy it when we do. Thanks for the recipe.
Adriana Lopez Martn says
Sounds delightful good change for a normal rice dish. Love making new recipes this one I will try next week for sure.
Amy says
This sounds SO GOOD! I love, love, love rice dishes, especially unique ones like this!
Dawn says
I love rice. This sounds like it is full of flavor. The mint and coconut sounds delicious in this rice.
Patty @ Spoonabilities says
I love coconut rice but never thought of using mint. This sounds amazing!
Mackenzie @ Food Above Gold says
My 2 year old daughter adores rice. It is easily her favorite food. Both my husband and I grew up with only plain white rice, so we aren't very clever at coming up with ways to make it fun and tasty, like this! She'll really love the mint in it!
Diana Johnson says
I love the idea of mint coconut chutney... It sounds delicious!
Stephanie@ApplesforCJ says
I'm loving the mint and coconut you used in this rice. I love rice but get bored eating it the same ways. Can't wait to try this recipe!
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
I, too, ate rice with three meals a day growing up. I definitely can't do that anymore, but when I do eat rice, I like it to be flavorful and packed with nutrients. This recipe fits the bill! I love mint and coconut together and imagine this tastes wonderful
Veena Theagarajan says
very flavourful rice.. yum!