This okra fried rice with a coconut broth base, delicious aromatics, and fried okra will be your new favorite side dish. Influenced by the Caribbean, this okra coconut rice transforms white rice into a dish packed full of flavor. A fried rice recipe that will have you loving okra.
1/2teaspoonpaprika(you can also use hot paprika if you like spicy)
3clovesgarlic(finely minced or pressed)
1inchfresh ginger root(peeled and minced)
Garnish: Chopped scallions
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Instructions
In a small pot over high heat, add coconut milk and broth. Using a whisk, whisk until coconut chunks have dissolved. Bring to a boil, add in the rice, cover and lower heat. Cook duration according to package instruction (typically around 20 minutes).
In a dutch oven or heavy bottomed skillet, over medium/high heat, add in the oil. Once hot, add in the sliced okra and fry for 3-4 minutes until it begins to brown. To start, some of the okra will stick together due to the release of the mucous, but you will see as it fries, that it becomes less and less slimy.
Once the coconut rice is finished cooking, it should be fluffy and fully cooked through. Add the cooked coconut rice into the pot with the fried okra and turn the heat off. Using a silicone spatula to get all the corners, begin mixing the coconut rice and fried okra. As you mix all the delicious spices and aromatics will begin to turn the rice into a golden brown color.
Once the rice is fully coated and no white colored rice remains, taste and adjust the salt if needed. Top the okra fried rice with fresh scallions to serve.
Since full fat coconut milk is thicker than broth/water, the liquid ratio for the rice is a 1/4 cup more than what the rice directions call for. So if the rice directions call for 1 1/2 cups water, 1 cup will be the broth and then you would use 3/4 cup full fat coconut milk.
Rice
Use a long grain rice such as basmati or jasmine rice
1 cup dry will equal 3 cups once cooked
The okra fried rice was made to go with my jerk chicken recipe. It is a great side dish to any spicy protein, due to the cooling of the coconut in the rice. This okra fried rice was inspired by the many meals I've enjoyed in the Caribbean and I hope it can transport you to somewhere tropical as well.