What’s my favorite aromatic in the kitchen you ask?
Ok, so you didn’t ask. But if you were to ask the answer is very simple: The Kaffir Lime Leaf! These small lime leaves are the most fragrant, sweet smelling aromatics imaginable. Kaffir lime is an iconic flavor in the Southeast Asian kitchen. From Thailand to Laos to Cambodia and beyond, you’ll find these small leaves in everything from curries to fish dishes to soup. Think of them almost like a bay leaf – an aromatic that you would drop into a soup or stew to add character and flavor to your dish. I’ve been testing a lot of recipes with lime leaves as I can’t seem to get enough of the sweet lime flavor. I recently created a simple rice dish that I’m excited to share! My Kaffir Lime & Coconut Rice Recipe is slightly sweet, creamy and definitely aromatic.
Traditionally, I’ve found fresh kaffir lime a little hard to find in The States (yes, even in well stocked big box Asian groceries stores these can be absent from the selves) so when I do find fresh lime leaves, I buy them in large quantities and freeze them for use throughout the year. If you’re new to the KLS (Kaffir Lime Search), I’ve had better luck sourcing them from small, independently owned Vietnamese and Thai markets than in the bigger box grocery stores.
Once you do locate them: Buy them. Try my rice recipe. Freeze them. Enjoy them for the months ahead. Outside of my simple rice dish you can use them to make curry pastes from scratch, kick up the flavor in jarred curries by dropping a few lime leaves into the curry as its bubbling away, or tear them and scatter them over fish cooked en papillote (recipe coming soon!).
If in the middle of the pandemic you’re still playing it safe and staying at home, there are some great online options:
(disclaimer, I’ve never tried the dry ones).
Want to go deep and learn more about Thai cuisine? One of the most beautiful cookbooks I have in my collection is essentially an encyclopedia on regional Thai cuisine. If you’re a serious cook or need something beautiful for your coffee table Thailand: The Cookbook is for you. The ingredients are wild, hard to find – but it’s beautifully done and the recipes I have made from it are fabulous.
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Thanks for stopping by – and, Bon Appétit!
Kaffir Lime & Coconut Rice Recipe
Course: SidesCuisine: ThaiDifficulty: Easy3
servings10
minutes11
minutesThis simple Thai inspired rice recipe combines the aromatic flavors of kaffir lime, lemongrass and coconut milk. It all comes together in a few minutes and results in sweet and creamy coconut rice. Serve as a side dish alongside any Southeast Asian meal.
Ingredients
1 cup Jasmine Rice
1 Stalk Lemongrass, cleaned and smashed with the back of your knife
1/2c Coconut Milk
1/2t salt
Directions
- Prepare your rice by rinsing it in a fine mesh strainer under cold water. While you’re rinsing the rice, gently make a figure eight pattern in the rice with your fingers so help remove the starch. When the water coming off the rice runs clear, add rice to heavy bottomed saucepan.
- Tear several “notches” in each kaffir lime leaf to help release the oil in the leaves.
- Add coconut milk, 1 1/4 cups of water, lime leaves, lemongrass and salt to the saucepan. Bring to boil, stir, cover and reduce to simmer. Cook covered over low heat for approx. 11 minutes or until rice is cooked and the liquid has been absorbed.
- Adjust seasoning. Fluff with fork and enjoy!
