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    You are here: Home / Aadi Perukku Special Recipes / Coconut Rice | Thengai Sadam

    Coconut Rice | Thengai Sadam

    Last Updated On: Jan 2, 2023 by Sharmilee J

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    Coconut Rice is a popular South Indian variety rice made by tempering grated coconut with spices and then mixing them with cooked rice. Coconut Rice or Thengai Sadam is easy to make and at the same time flavorful and delicious. How to make Coconut Rice is explained in this post with step by step pictures and video for your easy reference.

    coconut rice

    Coconut Rice is a mildy spiced flavorful rice made with freshly grated coconut. Any spicy fry would a great side dish for coconut rice, potato fry is a ever popular combo. We love it with seppenkilangu roast.

    About Coconut Rice

    Coconut Rice, popularly called as Thengai Sadam in Tamil is a traditional South Indian rice made for special occasions and common lunch box dish. Grated coconut is sauted and used in this rice, hence it would hold good till evening even when it is cooked early in the morning. Also the flavour is retained and becomes more delicious as time passes by. That’s how this cook friendly and eater friendly coconut rice became a regular menu for lunch box to school & office and also during long bus & train journeys.

    Coconut Rice – A Mandatory Rice for Baby Shower

    Coconut rice is a mandatory rice for Valaikappu / Seemantham / Baby shower function. It is a tradition to make 5 variety rice that day. The new mom-to-be travels back to her mom place on that day and that’s how the tradition of making 5 variety rice initiated as these rice accompanies the new mom-to-be in the journey. Coconut rice is consumed first among the 5 variety of rice as it will hold good just for a day and tamarind rice is consumed last as it will hold good even on the next day or two.

    Coconut rice is offered as prasadam in temples and the one made by the temple priest is extra delicious with lot of coconut, oil & cashews. It is also a standard menu for annadhanam during religious festivals and events.

    Coconut Scraping for Coconut Rice

    Coconut scrapper and cutting tool

    What is the sidedish for coconut rice?

    Coconut rice goes well with fry, papad, vadagam, and curry. Usually I make fry – Potato fry / Yam roast/ sepankizhangu fry as side dish. When I go dry of vegetables, I make coconut rice and accompany it with appalam / vadagam.

    My mother-in-law’s coconut rice used to be more flavourful and aromatic than mine. She gave a tip to add coconut oil instead of the regular oil for tempering which made by rice match her’s.

    Is Coconut rice and Coconut milk rice one and the same?

    No they are different even though the primary ingredient is Coconut. Coconut rice is made by tempering the spices with grated coconut and then mixing it with cooked rice. Coconut milk rice is a one post dish made by extracting coconut milk and then cooking it with rice. 

    Coconut Rice Ingredients

    • Coconut : Fresh grated coconut is recommended for this recipe though we can use desiccated coconut as well when fresh coconut is not available. Some of the coconuts tastes dry and are not tasty while some are moist and tastes very good. I had a habit of tasting the coconuts from various shops at different times and made it now regular to procure vegetables from the shop which had tasty coconuts – Tip to choose your vegetable store.
    • Rice : Both Raw and Boiled rice are very good for making Coconut rice. I used Ponni Boiled Rajabhogam rice for this recipe.
    • Oil : Use coconut oil for better aroma and flavour. If you do not have coconut oil, you can replace it with the regular cooking oil (refined / groundnut) used at home.

    coconut rice ingredients

    If you have any more questions about this coconut rice recipe do mail me at sharmispassions@gmail.com. In addition, follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest ,Youtube and Twitter .

    Tried this coconut rice recipe ? Do let me know how you liked it. Also tag us on Instagram @sharmispassions and hash tag it on #sharmispassions.

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    Coconut Rice | Thengai Sadam

    Coconut rice is a popular South Indian variety rice made by tempering grated coconut with spices and then mixing them with cooked rice. Coconut rice or thengai sadam is easy to make and at the same time flavorful and delicious.
    Prep Time10 minutes mins
    Cook Time15 minutes mins
    Total Time25 minutes mins
    Servings2
    AuthorSharmilee J

    Ingredients

    • 1 heaped cup cooked rice
    • 1/3 cup coconut grated
    • salt to taste

    To temper:

    • 1 tablespoon coconut oil
    • 1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds
    • 1 teaspoon split urad dal
    • 1/2 teaspoon jeera
    • 1 no green chilli
    • 1 no red chilli
    • a sprig of curry leaves
    • 1 tablespoon cashews broken

    Instructions

    • Heat oil in a pan - add mustard seeds and urad dal.
    • Let it splutter then fry till golden. Give a quick saute.
    • Add curry leaves, green chilli and red chilli.
    • Sauté for 2 mins in low flame.
    • Add cashews, fry until golden.
    • Add coconut.
    • Saute for 2 mins in low flame,do not change its color.
    • Finally add cooked rice along with required salt.
    • Toss well until nicely combined.
    • Serve Coconut Rice hot with potato roast yum!

    Video

    Notes

    • Cook rice in the ratio of 1:1.5 (rice : water). I used Ponni Parboiled Rice. Basmati Rice is also a good option. Make sure to cook little grainy so that after mixing with coconut it is perfectly cooked.
    • Use fresh grated coconut for the best taste. However you can use frozen coconut after thawing / defrosting it
    • Add curry leaves or coriander leaves to add flavour & for garnishing
    • Do not miss to add nuts – Cashews, peanuts – as they add taste, flavour and give crunchy feel.
    Nutrition Facts
    Coconut Rice | Thengai Sadam
    Amount Per Serving (125 g)
    Calories 153 Calories from Fat 126
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 14g22%
    Saturated Fat 10g63%
    Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
    Monounsaturated Fat 2g
    Sodium 1944mg85%
    Potassium 97mg3%
    Carbohydrates 6g2%
    Fiber 2g8%
    Sugar 1g1%
    Protein 3g6%
    Vitamin A 389IU8%
    Vitamin C 201mg244%
    Calcium 55mg6%
    Iron 1mg6%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Tried this recipe?Mention @sharmispassions or tag #sharmispassions
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    How to make Coconut Rice

     

     

    1.Heat oil in a pan – add mustard seeds and urad dal.coconut rice - add items to temper

    2.Let it splutter then fry till golden. Give a quick saute.let it splutter

    3.Add curry leaves,green chilli and red chilli.add curry leaves, red chillies

    4.Saute for 2 mins in low flame.saute for a minute

    5.Add cashews, fry until golden.fry cashews

    6.Add coconut.add coconut

    7.Saute for 2 mins in low flame,do not change its color.saute for a minute

    8.Finally add cooked rice along with required salt.add cooked rice

    9.Toss well until nicely combined.toss well

    Serve hot with potato roast yum!

    coconut rice

    Storing and Serving Suggestions

    Coconut Rice will be good for lunch menu at home and as well for lunch box. It could be made even early in the morning and it would be good till evening. Refrigeration is not needed. Since coconut is the main ingredient consume on the same day of cooking.

    When served along with other variety rice, 2 ladles of coconut rice serving is apt for the meal. Kalkandu rice, Coconut rice, Tamarind rice, Sambar rice / Curry leaf rice and Curd rice is a perfect menu for Baby shower function.

    FAQs

    1.What is Coconut Rice?

    Coconut Rice is a popular South Indian variety rice made by tempering spices, sauteing grated coconut then mixing them with cooked rice.

    2.How to make Coconut Rice?

    a. Heat coconut oil in a pan – add mustard seeds and urad dal let it splutter then fry till golden.
    b. Add curry leaves, green chilli and red chilli.
    c. Add fresh grated coconut and saute for 2 mins in low flame, do not change its color.
    d. Finally add cooked rice along with required salt. Toss well until nicely combined.

    3.Can I use grated dessicated coconut as I do not have access to fresh grated coconut?

    Yes we can use dessicated coconut only if we could not get the fresh ones. Saute for less than a minute just to heat it and add with rice. However the taste when cooked with dessicated coconut will not be as good as with fresh grated coconut as the processed dried coconut is devoid of the oil/moist of coconut.

    4.Can I add peanuts to the Coconut Rice?

    Yes – we can add roasted peanuts along with cashews to give a more crunchy flavour. Also we can replace cashews with peanuts.

    5.Can we use Basmati rice instead of raw / boiled rice?

    Yes basmati rice could also be used and it blends well with coconut.

    6.What side dish we can make for Coconut rice?

    Coconut rice goes well with fry (potato, yam, sepankizhangu), papad / appalam, vadagam, pickle and curry. It also can be had with kurma and mild gravy.

    7.Can I use left over rice for making coconut rice?

    Yes – we can use left over rice for making coconut rice. It will be equally good.

    8.Is Coconut rice and Coconut milk rice different ?

    No they are different even though the primary ingredient is Coconut. Coconut rice is made by tempering the spices with grated coconut and then mixing it with cooked rice. Coconut milk rice is a one post dish made by extracting coconut milk and then cooking it along with rice. Coconut rice is more of a South Indian Version and Coconut milk rice is more of Burmese, Thailand and Malaysia version of Coconut rice.

    coconut rice

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    Filed Under: Aadi Perukku Special Recipes, Avani Avittam Recipes, Kanum Pongal Recipes, Lunchbox Recipes, Recent Posts, Sharmis Passions, Sides, Variety Rice

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Premalatha Aravindhan

      September 29, 2011 at 7:38 am

      Wonderful combo, both recipes r gr8!

      Reply
    2. Prathibha

      September 29, 2011 at 7:54 am

      lol…my next post would b rice and even the yam fry would b posted very soon…love both the recipes..looks yumm

      Reply
    3. RAKS KITCHEN

      September 29, 2011 at 8:04 am

      Nice combo.. 🙂 I have tasted this yam fry but never tried on my own. Love it a lot but 🙂

      Reply
    4. Rekha shoban

      September 29, 2011 at 8:18 am

      i wont add cumin..will try next time with cumin seeds. both r great combo! lovely click!

      Reply
    5. Priti

      September 29, 2011 at 8:24 am

      Looks delicious and love the fry …I do very similar way too ..

      Reply
    6. Neetz

      September 29, 2011 at 8:52 am

      Wow!! what an awesome presentation and superb combo!! yyyyuuuummmmmmmm………

      Reply
    7. Kalpana Sareesh

      September 29, 2011 at 8:54 am

      thenga sadam n seppankizhanghu varuval .. my fav..

      Reply
    8. Bharathy

      September 29, 2011 at 9:39 am

      My hubby likes both! and i make them both..not as a combo..
      this seppan kizhangu turns out to be itchy to the throat these days and i havent made it for a while!
      Both the sadham and the varuval looks delectable sharmee :)..cute clicks!!

      Are you a non vegetarian? just read your comment in my latest post..

      Reply
    9. Prathima Rao

      September 29, 2011 at 9:42 am

      These two dishes together make a fantastic festive meal!!! A perfect post for this festive season Sharmilee 🙂
      Prathima Rao
      Prats Corner

      Reply
    10. Sharmilee! :)

      September 29, 2011 at 9:43 am

      @Bharathy : Yes yes I eat nonveg but havent tried my hands at cooking as I am not comfortable cooking nonveg but have to atleast for mittus sake 🙂

      Reply
    11. Nisa Homey

      September 29, 2011 at 11:26 am

      Yummy rice dish….coconut sadam is all time fav.

      Reply
    12. Alpana

      September 29, 2011 at 11:31 am

      Very nice recipe Sharmi…….awesome presentation.

      Reply
    13. Ramya Bala

      September 29, 2011 at 11:41 am

      lovely combu and yumm it is 🙂

      Reply
    14. Gayathri Kumar

      September 29, 2011 at 11:51 am

      Yummy combo..

      Reply
    15. MyKitchen Flavors-BonAppetit!.

      September 29, 2011 at 12:11 pm

      Hi Sharmee,both will do supergood pairing.Nice Match.Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
    16. Balakrishna Saraswathy

      September 29, 2011 at 12:22 pm

      Perfectly paired dishes dear…looking super tasty:)

      Reply
    17. Kalyani's Platter

      September 29, 2011 at 12:41 pm

      wow yummy and delicious combo sharmilee !!!!!!!

      Reply
    18. divya

      September 29, 2011 at 2:00 pm

      Wow!! what an awesome presentation and superb combo!!

      Reply
    19. jeyashrisuresh

      September 29, 2011 at 2:10 pm

      Delicious combo. Yesterday I made the same combo but I made mango rice. Clicks r awesome.

      Reply
    20. Pavithra

      September 29, 2011 at 2:36 pm

      Mmm mmm i love it.. awesome combination.. Used to take this for school.. wonderful lunch box meal too.

      Reply
    21. Laavanya

      September 29, 2011 at 2:52 pm

      i can't take my eyes of the sepakizhangu.. now how do i get an invitatin to this tasty lunch?

      Reply
    22. Laavanya

      September 29, 2011 at 2:53 pm

      I can't take my eyes of the sepakizhangu… Now, how do i get an invitation to this tasty lunch?

      Reply
    23. Sarah Naveen

      September 29, 2011 at 3:09 pm

      I am in love with your pictures!!!! both recipes are superb!!

      Reply
    24. Nags

      September 29, 2011 at 3:32 pm

      my fave rice dish!: )

      Reply
    25. Suja

      September 29, 2011 at 3:46 pm

      Combo sounds divine,makes me hungry..can't wait to try this.

      Reply
    26. Namitha

      September 29, 2011 at 4:43 pm

      One of my favs. Sorry about not visiting for a while..will catch up soon 🙂

      Reply
    27. Priya

      September 29, 2011 at 7:40 pm

      I can survive for many days with this both dishes, makes me hungry..

      Reply
    28. Cham

      September 29, 2011 at 8:53 pm

      I haven't deep fried the sempankizhangu, sounds excellent with coconut rice!

      Reply
    29. Priya (Yallapantula) Mitharwal

      September 29, 2011 at 9:05 pm

      I love yam fry, always, delicious and crunchy, good combo with coconut rice.

      Reply
    30. Paaka Shaale

      September 29, 2011 at 9:33 pm

      Lovely combo Sharmilee. I loved the coloccasia curry a lot 🙂

      Reply
    31. priya ravi

      September 29, 2011 at 11:50 pm

      wow such a delicious combo.. seppankizhangu varuval is mouth watering..

      Reply
    32. Apu

      September 30, 2011 at 1:01 am

      Looks amazing – its our favourite too!1

      Reply
    33. Kadhyaa

      September 30, 2011 at 5:11 am

      that both combo looks great. its been a while i did coconut rice..

      Reply
    34. Valarmathi Sanjeev

      September 30, 2011 at 7:29 am

      lovely combo…looks absolutely delicious.

      Reply
    35. Nithya

      September 30, 2011 at 10:45 am

      Simple and delicious rice 🙂 A keeper at times of kitchen sickness. 🙂

      Reply
    36. DEESHA

      September 30, 2011 at 12:29 pm

      Nice combo .. Coconut rice is an All time favorite

      Reply
    37. Angie's Recipes

      September 30, 2011 at 12:54 pm

      That could be my favourite lunch menu too! Yummy!

      Reply
    38. eric guy

      October 05, 2012 at 3:17 am

      hi im in states i use grated-dried packed coconut,if i fry it it will become brown.can u tell me a remidy for that

      Reply
    39. Sharmilee! :)

      October 05, 2012 at 9:52 am

      @Eric : I havent used dried coconut but I assume that dried coconut need not fried…can you not add it raw?

      Reply
    40. Iswarya Balasubramaniyan

      July 16, 2013 at 11:07 am

      Hi Sharmi,
      can we marinate it and keep it in the fridge in the night and fry the next morning ?.will it be good ?

      Reply
      • SHARMILEE J

        July 16, 2013 at 11:15 am

        Not sure but think it will get spoiled….

        Reply
    41. abinaya

      August 06, 2014 at 6:31 pm

      Hi sharmi can u pls post mitts favorite food so that I too can try it.my child is a fussy eater

      Reply
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