By Garima Johar
September 22, 2026
Coconut rice is the kind of South Indian comfort food that turns simple pantry staples into something special. Also known as thengai sadam, here’s a one-pot recipe when you just want comfort on a plate.
1 cup rice 1 cup grated coconut 2 tablespoons ghee 1 teaspoon urad dal 1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds 1 red chilli A few curry leaves 1/2 inch ginger Salt to taste
Rinse the rice and cook it in a pan or a pressure cooker, as you prefer.
Heat some ghee and add urad dal and mustard seeds, letting the seeds splutter.
Add dry red chilli, curry leaves, and grated ginger, and sauté until fragrant.
Mix in the grafted coconut over low heat until it turns slightly golden brown.
Add the cooked rice to this mixture and season with salt to taste. Mix well and serve.