Serves: 4
Total Calories: 274

1/2 to 1 teaspoon Goan Vindaloo Powder (or store-bought) or garam masala
1 cup Coconut Milk (or store-bought)
2 tablespoons grated fresh coconut or shredded unsweetened dried coconut
1 to 2 tablespoon peanut oil
1 stick cinnamon (1-inch)
5 whole cloves
6 green cardamom pods, lightly crushed to break the skin
1 large onion, finely chopped
1 1/2 cups basmati rice, , sorted and washed in 3 to 4 changes of water
1 3/4 cups water
1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh cilantro

1. Prepare the vindaloo masala and the coconut milk. Then dry-roast the coconut in a small skillet or tava over medium heat until fragrant, but just barely darker, 1 to 2 minutes.

2. Heat the oil in medium nonstick saucepan over medium-high heat, add the cinnamon, cloves, and cardamom pods, and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute.

3. Add the onion and cook until golden, about 5 minutes. Then mix in the rice, coconut milk, water, and salt and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pan (partially at first, until the foam subsides, then snugly), and cook until all the water has been absorbed and the rice is tender, 12 to 15 minutes. Do not stir the rice while it cooks. Remove from heat and allow the rice to rest about 5 minutes. Then transfer to a serving platter, lightly mix in the roasted coconut, vindaloo powder (or garam masala), and cilantro, and serve.

VARIATION: For a traditional, even richer flavor, make this recipe with only coconut milk--simply substitute more coconut milk for the water. A similar rice is also made in southern India, but they add 1/4 teaspoon turmeric and 3 to 5 dried red chili peppers along with the cinnamon and cloves.

From "1,000 Indian Recipes." Copyright 2002 by Neelam Batra. Used with permission of the publisher, Wiley Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Nutritional Facts:

Serves: 4
Total Calories: 274
Calories from Fat: 47

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