Kobbari Annam / Coconut Milk Rice

My Coconut Milk rice is from Coastal Andhra in India, where we can find lot of coconut trees. Coconut milk rice is one of my favorite rice recipe and will remember me off my beautiful days on Makar Sankranti, when my whole family meets and on mukkanuma one of my cousin used to prepare this divine coconut milk rice. I got many compliments from my hubby and friends for this recipe. This is my signature dish. 

Makar Sankranti  is a harvest festival celebrated in all part of India. In Andhra pradesh, Sankranti will be celebrated for 4 days : Bhogi, Makara Sankranti, Kanuma, Mukkanuma.
On Bhogi, people light bonfire at dawn with wood and old furniture. Children will thrown disk shape thing made with cow dung called "Bhogi pidakalu" in Telugu.
In the evening, in many families, children under 3 will be showered with "Regi pallu / Jujub fruits to get rid of evil eye and sweets will be distributed.

On second day, Sankranti will be celebrated. People will ware new clothes and pray god by offering traditional food cooked with newly harvested rice and sweets as "Naivedyam". Girl's will draw designs with flour called "Muggu" and decorate with colors and flowers and place piles of cow dung with flower on it called "Gobbemallu" in Telugu.

On third day, Kanuma will be celebrated. It is of special importance to farmers who consider cattle as a symbol of good fortune and prosperity.

On fourth day, Mukkanuma is celebrated, which is popular among non-vegetarians. In Coastal Andhra, people do not eat non-vegetarian on the first three days. On Mukkanuma, kodipandallu(cockfight) and eddula pandallu (Bull fights) will be conducted and people will fly kites.  

On these four days, early morning "Haridasu" with a colorfully decorated bull will goes to ever

house  singing songs on god Vishnu.

Adding garlic cloves will add extra flavor to rice. We can also add green peas. I love adding capsicum. Don't hesitate to add cashews as they increase the taste.  

I am using store bought coconut milk as it save time and I love to use Leche de coco milk as it will be so thick.

 

Ingredients: 

• Rice - 2 cups
• Coconut milk - 2 cups (store bought or homemade)
• Ginger-garlic paste - 2 tsp
• Yelakulu / Cardamom - 6
• Cloves - 7
• Dalchina chekka / Cinnamon - 3 sticks (1 inch each)
• Garam masala - 1 tsp (If using homemade add 1/2 tsp)
• Garlic cloves - 10 to 12
• Medium Onion - 1
• Green Chillies - 10 (Adjust as per taste)
• Carrot - 1
• Green Capsicum - 1
• Cashews - 10
• Salt to taste

Preparation:

• Put coconut pieces in blender and add 1 cup water.
• Blend on high for several minutes until thick and creamy.
• Pour through a mesh colander first to get most of the coconut out, and then squeeze.
• Put all the coconut that you strained out back in the blender, add another cup water, and repeat.
• Soak Rice for 15 to 20 min.
• Chop veggies.

Method:

• Heat oil in a pot, add cardamon, cloves, cinnamon, cashews and saute for 3 min.
• Now add chopped veggies and cook for 5 min.
• Add rice and fry for a minute and add 2 cups coconut milk and 2 cups water.
• Add garam masala, salt and garlic cloves and cook on medium heat with lid on until rice cooked.
• Serve hot.

Note:

• Coconut milk will reduce the spiciness so I use more chillies. Adjust as per your taste.