Thengai Sadam (South Indian Coconut Rice)
Fluffy basmati rice tossed with toasted mustard seeds, curry leaves and a spoonful of coconut sauce, a fragrant side for any curry.
Made with South Indian coconut curry base. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time25 mins
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £1.18 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Rinse the rice, then cook it in boiling salted water for 10 minutes. Drain and spread on a tray so it cools quickly and the grains stay separate.
10 min - 2
Heat the coconut oil in a large wide pan over a medium heat. Add the mustard seeds and wait until they pop.
0 min 45 s - 3
Add the chana dal and curry leaves and cook for 1 minute until the dal is golden.
1 min - 4
Stir in your ready made South Indian coconut curry base (see the base recipe) and simmer for 2 minutes until it thickens.
2 min - 5
Add the rice and toss gently over a medium heat for 2 minutes until hot and every grain is coated. Stir in the lime juice and taste for salt.
2 min
Tips
- Use rice that has dried slightly. Day old rice works well, as long as it was cooled within 1 hour and chilled.
- Keep the grains separate by tossing, not stirring hard.
- Optional extras are fresh grated coconut, frozen peas or a handful of roasted peanuts if nuts are fine.
Storing and freezing
Cool within 1 hour and chill. Keeps for 1 day in the fridge. Reheat only once, until steaming hot all the way through. Rice can carry bacteria that survive cooking, so do not leave it out.
Questions
Can I use leftover rice?
Yes, but only rice that was cooled within 1 hour and chilled, and use it within 1 day. Reheat only once until steaming hot all the way through.
What do I serve it with?
Sambar, kadala curry, fish curry or any dry vegetable dish. It also stands alone as a lunchbox rice.
Is it vegan?
Yes. Chana dal is optional and gluten free, but check the packet.
More made with south indian coconut curry base
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.