Coconut Rice with Prawns

Jump to Recipe

Coconut Rice with Prawns

Ingredient Notes

Allspice:

Also known as pimenta, this isn’t a blend like the name suggests. It’s a single berry from the pimenta tree that tastes like a mix of cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and pepper. If you don’t have any in the cupboard, a small pinch of each of those four spices is a solid substitute. Remember to fish them out before adding the prawns so the flavour doesn’t overpower the rice.

Prawns:

I always buy them already shelled and deveined for this dish. It saves about 10 minutes of prep and keeps the cleanup quick. Just don’t buy pre-cooked. We’re cooking them in the rice cooker and pre-cooked prawns will end up tough and rubbery. Frozen raw prawns work too, just thaw them properly in the fridge or in cold water first.

Old Bay seasoning:

This is the prawn marinade hero, a US seasoning blend of celery salt, paprika, mustard and other warm spices that pairs beautifully with seafood. Most supermarkets stock it in the spice aisle these days. If you can’t find any, mix ½ tsp smoked paprika, ¼ tsp celery salt, ¼ tsp garlic powder and a pinch of cayenne for a close substitute.

Jump to Video

Ingredients

1 cup jasmine rice
400ml coconut milk
200ml water
white pepper and salt
4 Allspice berries
15 large prawns/shrimp, deveined
½ tbsp olive oil
½ tbsp all bay seasoning
1 ½ limes
2 plum tomatoes
¼ large red onion
½ bunch coriander

Equipment

Rice cooker
Rice paddle or spatula
Chopping board
Chef’s knife
Mixing bowl (for the prawn marinade)
Smaller bowl (for the salsa)
Zester or microplane
Citrus juicer
Sieve (for rinsing the rice)

Keep screen awake Off

Directions

Rinse the rice under cold water twice or until the water runs clear. Drain all the water before placing the rice into the rice cooker. Add the coconut milk to the rice cooker. Add the water to the empty tin of coconut and swirl to rinse the can. Tip this coconut water into the rice cooker.
To the rice cooker, add the allspice berries, a few cracks of white pepper and a pinch of salt to season.
Close the lid, then turn the cooker on. While the rice is cooking, make the marinade the prawns and the salsa to accompany the rice.
For the marinade, place the prawns into a bowl with the olive oil, a pinch of salt, all bay seasoning and the zest of a lime. Mix well and place aside to marinade for 10 minutes.
To make the salsa, slice the tomatoes in half and remove the core. Slice each half into four wedges, lengthwise and dice. Finely dice the red onion. Chiffonard all the coriander leaves and separate into two. Keep half aside for the rice later on. Mix all together with the juice of a lime and a pinch of salt.
Once most of the excess liquid has evaporated from the rice cooker, add the marinated prawn to the top of the rice cooker and remove the allspice berries. Close the lid and continue cooking until the rice is soft and the prawns are cooked through.
Add the remaining coriander and fluff with a rice paddle.
Serve in a bowl with the salsa and a wedge of lime.

Notes

Chef Tips

Rinse the rice properly

Run the rice under cold water in a sieve or rinse it in the rice cooker bowl two or three times until the water runs clear. That washes off the excess surface starch that would otherwise turn the coconut rice gluey. Drain it well before the coconut milk goes in so you’re not adding extra liquid by accident.

Rinse the can

Once you’ve emptied the coconut milk into the rice cooker, add the water to the empty tin and give it a swirl. That picks up every last bit of coconut from the sides of the can so it ends up in the rice instead of going down the drain. Small thing, big difference in flavour.

Storage

This dish is best eaten straight from the cooker. Leftovers will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days but the prawns are at their best the day they’re cooked. Reheat gently in the microwave with a splash of water to stop the rice drying out. I wouldn’t freeze this one, the rice goes mushy when defrosted.

FAQs

Can I make this without a rice cooker?

Yes, use a heavy-based pot with a tight-fitting lid. Bring the rice, coconut milk, water and allspice to a boil over high heat, then drop to the lowest heat and cover. After 15 minutes, lay the prawns on top, cover again and cook for another 4 to 5 minutes off the heat to steam the prawns through in the residual heat.

Can I make this vegan?

Yes, swap the prawns for firm tofu cut into 2cm cubes. Tofu absorbs marinade well and the rest of the recipe is already plant-based. Marinate it the same way as the prawns and add it to the rice at the same point in the cycle.

What if I can’t find Old Bay seasoning?

Mix ½ tsp smoked paprika, ¼ tsp celery salt, ¼ tsp garlic powder and a pinch of cayenne. That gets you close enough to the flavour for this recipe. Or sub in a Cajun seasoning if you have one on hand, just check the salt level.

Can I use frozen prawns?

Yes, just thaw them properly first. Either in the fridge overnight or in a bowl of cold water for 30 minutes. Pat them dry before marinating so the marinade sticks instead of sliding off the wet surface.