Coconut-Raisin Rice Pilaf

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium onion, minced
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
• 1 tablespoon Thai red curry paste
• 1 1/2 cups long-grain rice
• 2 cups coconut milk (method to make your own follows)
• 1 1/2 cups chicken stock
• 1/2 cup desiccated coconut (dry)
• 1/2 cup raisins or currant
• salt

To make coconut milk

• 8 ounces desiccated coconut (dry)
• 3 1/2 cups water

Directions

1. 1

   Make coconut milk: In a medium-sized pot, place dessicated coconut and water. Mix and allow to soak for ½ an hour. After ½ an hour, turn heat onto low and bring to a gentle simmer. Simmer, covered, for 10 minutes. Turn off heat and leave pot on element for ½ an hour. After ½ an hour, transfer coconut mixture to blender or processor and process for 45 seconds. Put a large sieve over a bowl and empty coconut mixture into it. Press down hard on coconut solids with the back of a spoon to remove as much coconut milk as possible. This method produced 2 cups of coconut milk. Can be made up to 2 days before recipe and refrigerated, covered. The milk will separate in the fridge, forming a creamy ‘fat’ layer on top, and a thinner ‘liquid’ layer underneath. Not to worry, the fat layer will melt into the liquid when heated and form a lovely milk.

2. 2

   Heat oil over medium heat in a medium saucepan. Add onion, garlic, ginger and red pepper paste, mashing paste into the rest of the ingredients. Cook onion mixture until softened, but not browned, about 2-3 minutes.

3. 3

   Stir in the rice and cook in the oil, stirring, for 2 minutes. Remove saucepan from heat and add coconut milk and stock (careful - the pan will be hot!), along with the coconut and combine well. Taste liquid and add salt if you feel the stock didn’t provide enough.

4. 4

   Return to element and bring to a rapid boil. Boil uncovered over high heat until the level of the liquid is just above the rice, about 5 minutes. Cover immediately, reduce the heat to the lowest setting, and simmer for 10 more minutes.

5. 5

   Carefully stir in the currants, cover pot, and continue cooking over low heat another 5 minutes without lifting the lid (total cooking time = 20 minutes).

6. 6

   Let the pilaf ‘rest’ for 10 minutes off the heat. Fluff the pilaf with a fork and serve with your favourite curry.