A tropical side dish that fits perfectly into a balanced lifestyle, this low-fat coconut rice is infused with pineapple and toasty toppings for an explosion of flavor.
Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 20 minutes Total time: 30 minutes Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients
For the Rice:
1 ½ cups jasmine rice, thoroughly rinsed until water runs clear
1 (13.5 oz) can light coconut milk
1 cup water
½ teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon coconut sugar or maple syrup (optional, for extra sweetness)
For the Fitness Add-ins:
1 ½ cups fresh pineapple, diced (about ½ an actual pineapple)
¼ cup unsweetened shredded coconut, lightly toasted
3 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
1 tablespoon fresh mint, chopped
1 lime, zested and cut into wedges for serving
Optional Fitness Toppings (as seen in image):
2 tablespoons crispy fried shallots (use sparingly for fitness focus)
Additional mint sprigs for garnish
Instructions
Rinse the Rice: This is the most important step for fluffy rice! Place the jasmine rice in a fine-mesh sieve and rinse under cold water, swishing it around, until the water running through is completely clear. Drain well.
Cook the Rice: In a medium-sized saucepan with a tight-fitting lid, combine the rinsed rice, light coconut milk, water, salt, and coconut sugar (if using). Bring the mixture to a low boil over medium-high heat.
Simmer: Once boiling, immediately turn the heat down to the lowest possible setting. Stir once, cover tightly with the lid, and cook for 15-18 minutes without lifting the lid.
Fluff and Steam: After cooking, turn off the heat but leave the pot on the burner with the lid on. Let it steam for an additional 10 minutes. This ensures perfectly cooked grains that aren't mushy.
Toast the Coconut: While the rice steams, place the shredded coconut in a small, dry skillet over medium-low heat. Stir constantly until it becomes fragrant and turns a light golden brown. Immediately transfer to a small bowl to prevent burning.
Combine: Remove the lid from the rice pot and fluff the rice gently with a fork. Transfer the rice to a large serving bowl. Fold in the diced fresh pineapple, toasted coconut, chopped cilantro, chopped mint, and lime zest.
Serve: Divide into four bowls. Top with a sprinkle of crispy fried shallots and a sprig of fresh mint for a restaurant-quality presentation. Serve with lime wedges on the side for squeezing.
Fitness Facts & Tips
Go Lean with Light: We specify light coconut milk to significantly reduce the saturated fat and calorie content compared to full-fat versions, making this a much more fitness-friendly side dish.
A Natural Performance Sweetener: The fresh pineapple provides natural sugars that are perfect for a pre-or post-workout energy boost. It also contains bromelain, an enzyme that can help reduce inflammation.
Carb Conscious? To reduce the carbohydrate load even further, you can replace half of the jasmine rice with riced cauliflower. Simply fold the raw cauliflower rice in at Step 6; the heat from the rice will soften it perfectly.
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