This Indian style Coconut Rice noodles recipe is a quick and easy recipe. It is perfect to make for quick breakfast or lunch. Toasted Coconut adds lots of flavor to the dish.
For the second day of this week’s blogging marathon ‘Instant dishes’ theme, I made this quick and easy rice noodles with coconut. This dish takes less than 20 minutes to make and is great to serve for breakfast or lunch or after school snack.
Homemade Rice Noodles | Sevai:
Traditionally rice noodles or Sevai are made from scratch in South India. I have tried making them couple of times but my attempts were not too successful. Then I realized I could use rice noodles found in Asian section of the grocery store and the results were almost similar. I am a big fan of simplifying, so this worked out perfect for me.
When buying rice noodles, look for brands that have only rice and water as ingredients. They come in several different widths – starting from thick noodles used in Pad Thai to skinny rice vermicelli. The thin vermicelli size is the most closest in shape to traditionally made rice sevai.
How to Cook Rice Vermicelli:
Rice noodles are available in fresh and dried forms. Fresh ones are in the refrigerated section while the dried ones are with other Asian ingredients (more likely) or in the pasta/ noodle section (less likely). Fresh noodles to be soaked in boiling water for less than 30 seconds.
Dried noodles are similar to pasta and need to be cooked in boiling water for about 3~5 minutes. Follow the package instructions – this might change from brand to brand.
South Indian Style Coconut Rice Noodles | Thengai Sevai:
Rice noodles are widely used in South India especially in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. They are typically made from scratch and then they can be cooked in several different ways. Toss them with toasted peanuts, lentils and some lemon juice to make Lemon Sevai – similar to this rice dish. Sky is the limit on how these can be cooked and served.
Today I have a version that uses coconut to flavor the dish. Thengai (coconut) Sevai (noodles) is one of the popular versions. You will need:
- Rice noodles
- Coconut (fresh or dry)*
- Cashews
- Green/ red Thai chilies
- Mustard seeds, urad dal, curry leaves – these ingredients can be easily found in Indian grocery store. Skip these ingredients if you don’t have access to them. The dish will still taste amazing.
How to make Coconut Rice Noodles:
Coconut is toasted until golden brown to make it nutty and delicious. This is an important step in making the dish, so make sure to take your time and not burn it.
Indian Style Coconut Rice Noodles
Ingredients
- 1 lb. Rice Noodles, dried or fresh
- 2 tbsp Coconut oil
- 1 tsp Mustard seeds
- 1 tbsp Urad Dal
- 3 tbsp Cashews
- 1 Medium Red Onion, thinly sliced
- 3~4 Thai Green or Red Chilies
- 8~10 Curry leaves
- 1 cup Fresh grated coconut or use ½ cup dried coconut*
- To taste Salt
Instructions
- Break the rice noodles into 3" pieces. Cook them as per package instructions. I used dried noodles. I put them in boiling water, turned off the heat and covered the pan and left it for 3~4 minutes. Drained and rinsed with cold water. Then keep aside until ready to use.
- In a large skillet, heat oil on medium flame. Add the mustard seeds and once they start to pop, add the urad dal and cashews. Cook until they are golden brown.
- Add the onions, curry leaves green chilies and cook for 3~4 minutes or until the onion is lightly browned around the edges.
- Add the grated coconut and stir fry 1~2 minutes or until the coconut turns golden brown.
- Stir in the cooked rice noodles and salt. Toss to make sure all the ingredients are well combined and the noodles are heated through, about 2 minutes. Serve right away.
Notes
- If using fresh noodles – add the noodles to boiling water, soak for 30 seconds. Drain, rinse with cold water. Make sure not to soak the noodles for too long.
- If using dried coconut, then soak it in hot water for at least 15 minutes. Drain and use as needed.
Tips for making perfect Coconut Rice Noodles:
- Make sure that the rice noodles are not overcooked. This will make them clumpy and that’s not very appealing.
- If using dried coconut, then soak it in hot water for 15 minutes. Drain and use as needed.
- I always have frozen grated coconut in my freezer. So I can just break off a chunk and defrost in the microwave for using in recipes like this.
How to Serve?
- Serve with a pickle on top for a spicy kick.
- Serve with your favorite dal and/ or yogurt.
Don’t forget to check out what my fellow marathoners have cooked up for today.
Alisa Infanti
I love the idea of freezing coconut so that you can shred fresh! Why did I never think of this! I just got back from South East Asia on vacation and loved having noodles for breakfast. I can’t wait to try this recipe!
Amara
Coconut rice noodles look simple and delicious Pavani, a nice substitute to the regular vermicelli for breakfast. Awesome share.
saraswathi Tharagaram
Beautiful pictures! love your clear pictorial of the recipe! coconut seva is conforming dishes in our house.
Danielle
I’ve been meaning to make coconut rice noodles for quite some time, but haven’t seen a good recipe until now. Here it is – the perfect one! 🙂
Leslie
This looks like a delicious snack for sure. I love the flavors used in this! So delicious!!
Harini Rupanagudi
This is my favorite one pavani. But I have not made it with so much of coconut in it. I am tempted to try this soon.
Sowmya
Classy!
Sushma Pinjala
Lovely picture, am sure they taste delicious. Such a great idea adding coconut to the noodles. Good one Pavani