This post is dedicated to my friend, Daniela. My thoughts are with you, and I hope everything turns out as your heart desires. Auguri!

I was at the supermarket the other day and chanced upon some cookbooks on display. I grabbed one on rice dishes, and found a recipe which caught my eye. It was called Festive Rice, and I managed to peruse the ingredients list very briefly before my sons took off to play catch-me-if-you-can.

Boys.

I abandoned the book to give chase and thereafter got distracted. When I returned a few days later, the cookbooks were no longer there. 🙁 All I remembered from that book was that the rice was mixed with softened onions and grated turmeric, and then cooked in coconut milk. To serve, top it with omelette shreds and wedges of zucchini and tomatoes.

Why it’s called Festive Rice, I have no idea. I didn’t even get a chance to note the title and author of the book. Gah, thanks a lot, boys! But I am guessing it’s the colour that makes it look festive. You think?

Anyway, here’s what I did. I fried some white onion slices till they were soft but not browned, then set them aside. In my rice cooker, I added my washed rice grains, poured in a packet of coconut cream (topped with some water) and a pinch of turmeric powder. I also added a pinch of salt. As the rice was cooking, I made an omelette and cut it into thick strips. The tomato and zucchini were cut into small cubes, and thrown on the side when the rice was ready to be served.

Easy, huh? And does it not look so cheery and summery? 🙂