Coconut Rice and Steamed Veggies

By Kelley on September 30, 2016 | Main Dish, Vegetarian Jump To Recipe

Have you had coconut rice before? If not, we need to rectify that asap. Coconut Rice and Steamed Veggies (or no veggies if you’re my 6 year old) is one of my go to dinners and it doesn’t get any easier to prepare thanks to the Hamilton Beach 4-20 Cup Rice and Hot Cereal Cooker.

You guys. Life is hectic at Casa de Mountain Mama. I won’t bore you with the fine details but trust me when I tell you that I literally drop into bed each night falling asleep before my head even hits the pillow. We’ve got extended family living with us- one of which just happens to be the cutest 11 month old to man kind- but, you guys, HE’S 11 MONTHS OLD!!!! And because his Mama is on modified bed rest I’m chasing this little person around and it not so gently reminds me that I’m getting old.

And I say that in jest because I’m not really that old. Plenty of woman my age have babies. I’m just not one of those ladies. MY babies are 6 and 9 and not only do they go to school all day but they can get themselves dressed, make themselves a snack and go to the bathroom on their own. I think what has made this situation so tiring is that my boys and the baby have such a different routine that there never seems to be any downtime. I’m trying to read to the boys and the little guy is putting his finger in a socket. When the boys are getting ready for soccer or football the little one is dumping the dogs water over. All I can say is thank goodness for the mornings when my kiddos are in school and the wild man takes his (hopefully) long nap.

And the most hectic time of the day is dinner time. Shocker, I know. It’s the most hectic time of the day for most families, isn’t it? Shuttling the big kids between after school activities and sports practices, trying to get homework and reading done and put dinner on the table is a feat in itself. Add a baby to the mix?

Crazy Town, U.S.A up in here.

I am relying on meals that can be prepped ahead and ones that make enough leftovers for everyone to have for lunch the next day. Think soups, tacos, burrito bowls, and stir fry-. I need quick, healthy, filling and did I mention EASY?!?!?!?

Enter the Hamilton Beach 4-20 Cup Rice and Hot Cereal Cooker. My first ever rice cooker, this thing is a game changer. I can’t get over how awesome it is. Not to mention perfect rice every. single time. but ……wait for it……THIS THING HAS A TIMER. I can set the time so my rice is ready to roll just minutes after I come in from playing chauffeur and need dinner on the table stat.

You can use the rice cooker to prepare all grains- not just rice- though that is all I’ve use it for thus far. I’ve used it multiple times, making regular basmati rice as well as this coconut rice. A super cool feature is the steamer basket that fits inside the cooker. You can cook a variety of proteins or vegetables to make a complete meal. I’m evening thinking some cinnamon and sugar dusted apples would be awesome cooked in the basket if you make a big pot of oats. I’ll let you know if I try it!

Coconut Rice has made an appearance on our table multiple times this past month as rice is without a doubt a staple in our house. For this crazy easy meal, I threw some mixed veggies in the steamer basket for the last 20 minutes of the rice cooking time and and then finished the bowls with a drizzle of bottled teriyaki.

A welcomed easy (and healthy) dinner for this frazzled mama.

Have great week and thanks for reading! xo, Kelley