Sweet Coconut Rice Recipe | Instant Pot Narali Bhat

Indian Sweet Coconut rice is easy and delicious. A traditional celebration rice, kid-friendly Narali bhat is fragranced with cardamom, saffron, and cinnamon, for an amazing aroma and taste.

What is Narali Bhat?

Naral means Coconut, while Bhat refers to cooked rice. Hence, Narali bhat.

This is a coconut rice that is made during special festivals. The Hindu calendar is actually different from the Gregorian calendar--which caused a lot of confusion when I spoke to my grandmother.

I'd think it was June and she'd have some other explanation for what it was. Since the Hindu Calendar is a Lunar calendar, there was no guarantee there would be any match between months and festivals from year to year.

Either way, as long as I got to enjoy dishes like this rice, she could call it whatever she wanted!

What is the history behind this coconut rice recipe?

Traditionally, Narali Bhat is popular in Maharashtra and Goa, and is made during a holy day when the moon is full during what is June or July on the Gregorian Calendar. This day is called Narali Poornima, where Poornima refers to a full moon.

Much like Christians who may abstain from things over Lent, the fishing communities in these coastal regions abstain from fishing for two months before this Full Moon.

Not only does this period of abstinence keep them safer during the middle of a heavy monsoon season, but it happens to be when marine life is spawning.

Additionally, heavy rains churn up water from oceans and lakes quite heavily. It is believed that fish are less nutritious and less safe to eat during this time.

Refraining from fishing is, therefore, better for the fisherfolk, fish eaters, as well as animals.

But once this auspicious Full Moon is nigh, it's time to celebrate. Boats are decorated, your best and if possible new clothes are worn, and a celebration ensues.

The boats are pushed out, a short fishing trip ensues, and once they return safely, it is time to sing, dance, and most importantly--EAT.

Coconuts are considered an auspicious food and are often used in worship. So fresh coconuts are offered up to the Gods, (namely Varun the guardian of fisherfolk, and Shiva) and also incorporated into recipes like this narali bhat recipe.

Brahmins also refrain from eating grains on this day, making this sweet rice even more appropriate.

Indian Coastal cooking uses a lot of coconut due to its ready availability. I grew up close to a coastal region, so I use coconut in a variety of Indian dishes.

What Kind Of Rice Can I Use For This Sweet Coconut Rice Recipe?

I have tried long-grain basmati as well as cooking Jasmine rice and arborio rice. Yes, I experimented with all of those so you wouldn't have to!

I find the best results with Instant Pot jasmine rice. This is a medium-grain, slightly sticky rice, which helps it stick together.

You can definitely make it with basmati rice, but do not use glutinous or arborio rice for it. You will end up with a huge glop of sticky rice.

If you're wondering how to cook Jasmine rice in an Instant Pot, I've written an entire post on how to make pressure cooker rice.

Is this Sweet Coconut Rice A Dessert Or A Side Dish?

You know that's an interesting question. One of the ways in which Indian meals often vary from how food is served in Western Countries is that we serve everything together on a plate.

On festive occasions, you might use a beautiful thali like this one, with lots of little bowls to hold together the dal, vegetables, raita, and yes, dessert at the same time.

For a less expensive thali, you could use a plate with sections. Great for picky eaters who don't like their food to touch!

Here's an example of a thali I made.

You will see here I have, starting from the first bowl on the left, a green crispy spring onions vegetable, chana masala, a pineapple salsa with yogurt, tomato raita, and rice with peas and carrots. In the middle is a peach chutney.

And way in the back to the left? Is Instant Pot Halva, or a dessert.

So Instant Pot coconut rice is served along with the rest of the food. But you are expected to know that you can't be pouring over Dal or other Indian curries on top of it!

You just eat it kind of with the rest of the meal--or you save it to the end and eat it when you're done with the rest of your food.

How To Make Coconut Rice

1. Soak coconut shreds in 1/2 cup of hot water.

2. Add rinsed and drained Jasmine Rice to Instant Pot Liner.

3. Sugar, raisins, ghee, saffron strands, cloves, cinnamon stick, and cardamom pods into the inner liner of your Instant Pot.

4. Remove water from coconut strands and add to Instant Pot Liner.

5. Close the Instant Pot lid. Set the Instant Pot at High pressure for 4 minutes. When cook time is complete, let pot release pressure naturally for 10 minutes, and then release all remaining pressure.

Variations for Sweet Coconut Rice

• Use freshly grated coconut rather than dried. You can often find this in the frozen section of an Indian grocery store.
• Use Jaggery or Piloncillo for your sweetener.
• Sprinkle with ground cardamom before serving.
• Omit saffron in this Coconut Jasmine rice if you don't have it.
• Pan fry some cashews and raisins in ghee, and garnish.
• Use coconut milk rather than water to cook coconut milk rice. If you want to do this however, cook it in a rice cooker.
• Cooking Rice on stovetop is another method, as coconut milk tends to separate under pressure.

What Is The Benefit Of Coconut Rice?

Coconut really is an amazing ingredient. It has a ton of health benefits that make me want to include it in my cooking. Well, other than that fact that it is delicious. Some include:

• High in fiber
• Energy-boosting
• Great for digestion
• Reduces sugar cravings

Easy Rice Dishes & Desserts

• Pressure Cooker Rice and Dal- amazing Indian comfort food.
• Zarda Sweet Rice- rich flavors and textures.
• Kheer Rice Pudding- traditional rice pudding recipe.
• Arroz Pina Colada- delicious sweet rice dessert.
• Black Beans and Rice- Cuban inspired Instant Pot recipe.

Coconut rice may traditionally be eaten during a celebration, but who is to say any meal can't be a celebration? Try this coconut rice recipe this week. If you love it as much as I do, please share it with your friends on Facebook and Pin to make it again later.

Don't forget to check out my other Best-selling Instant Pot Cookbooks!

Indian Instant Pot, Keto Instant Pot, Instant Pot Fast and Easy, Healthy Instant Pot & Vegetarian Instant Pot.