Curry Rice Pilaf with Toasted Coconut Flakes and Sweet and Spicy Chicken

Chicken and rice reinvented. I called this rice recipe, my almost fried rice after making it. It's quick and has less hassle than fried rice does, so it's the perfect supplement. I adapted the chicken recipe from my new Taste of Home, special edition Best of summer Recipes magazine. Oh! and did I mention this is the first cook book I have ever purchased; finding it handy already. As soon as I saw the picture and recipe for the chicken, I knew I had to make it. I think it's safe to say this recipe and picture  of this chicken sold this magazine for me. Looking forward to trying and adapting more recipes from my first new cook book. The coconut flakes came in at the end, I had some left over, so I added it for texture and crunchiness. It actually add a mild sweetness and unique taste to the rice, which was great.

Rice Pilaf Ingredients
3 tbsp olive oil
1/2 medium onion, diced
2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 1/4 tbsp Curry Powder
2 tsp knorr chicken flavor bouillon powder
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1 tsp cajun spice seasoning
1 ½ cups washed and dried parboiled rice(wash is optional)
3/4 cup orzo pasta
3 cups water
2 tbsp parsley, roughly chopped
2 tbsp toasted coconut flake

Rice Pilaf Directions
1. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and saute for about 4-5 minutes.
2. Add rice and orzo pasta and saute for 3 minutes
3. Add in the curry powder, knorr powder, salt, pepper and cajun spice, stir well
4. Add the water to the rice mixture. Bring the rice to a boil. Lower the heat, cover and simmer for 30-35 minutes until tender and water is completely dried. Half way through simmering, add carrots
4. Stir in fresh parsley and top with toasted coconut.

Note: To toast the coconut flakes, grate the coconut, then arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake in a preheated 350 degrees F oven for 6 to 8 minutes until lightly golden. Cool completely before using.

 
Chicken Ingredients
2 tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp paprika
2 tsp onion powder
1 1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp chilli powder
1 tsp garlic powder
3 chicken thighs

Chicken Directions
1. Combine all the ingredient except the chicken in mix together. If brown sugar is clumpy, use a sieve to sieve out the clumps
2. Rub ingredient mixture all over the chicken
3. Bake chicken in the oven at 350 degree F for 45-60 minutes or until chicken is fully cooked