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Recipes

Coconut-Lime Rice (Maldivian-Style)

A fragrant coconut rice with lime, curry leaves, and toasted coconut — built for service trays and family-style feasts.

Serves
6
Prep
10 min
Cook
25 min
Coconut-Lime Rice (Maldivian-Style)

Ingredients

For the rice

  • 2 cups basmati rice, rinsed
  • 1 cup coconut milk
  • 1 1/2 cups water (adjust for your rice)
  • 1 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp neutral oil or ghee
  • 6–8 curry leaves (optional)
  • 1 small cinnamon stick (optional)

To finish

  • Zest of 1 lime + 1 tbsp lime juice
  • 2 tbsp toasted coconut flakes
  • 2 tbsp chopped scallions or chives
  • Fresh black pepper

Method

  1. 1

    Rinse the rice until the water runs mostly clear; drain well.

  2. 2

    In a pot, warm oil. If using curry leaves/cinnamon, toast for 20–30 seconds until fragrant.

  3. 3

    Add rice, coconut milk, water, and salt. Stir once, bring to a gentle boil, then cover and simmer on low until tender (about 12–15 minutes).

  4. 4

    Turn off heat and rest covered for 10 minutes, then fluff with a fork.

  5. 5

    Fold in lime zest, lime juice, toasted coconut, and scallions. Season with pepper and serve warm.