Toasted Coconut Breakfast Risotto
Jan 16, 2011 tagged Dairy-free, Egg-free, Gluten-free, Vegan 
Toasted Coconut Breakfast Risotto—sounds perfect for a cold day in January, don’t you think?
That’s exactly what we’ve got here in the northeast. A cold and somewhat gloomy day. Lots of snow on the ground. A nip in the air. All I want to do is hibernate.
Not possible. The little dogs still get excited about going for a walk—and if they don’t get one they add to the chaos that’s already my home. Holiday stuff is still hanging around waiting to be stored for another year. The kid is making camping stoves from empty soda cans. Laundry is overflowing its basket.
So, we get bundled up and out we go. Every now and then the little boy dog picks up a paw and begs to have it rubbed vigorously until warm. Yes, he’s very spoiled.
Despite the frosty temperatures my husband is camping with the Boy Scouts. It’s the annual Freezeree. He looks forward to it every year. I know. It’s a little crazy. But, it makes him happy. He’s happy. I’m happy. Besides, I’m sleeping in a warm house under a big quilt.
When I got up this morning he was already gone. Lucky me, he made the coffee before he left. I woke up to a quiet house lightly scented with coffee and filled with a sleeping college kid and snoozing dogs. Just enough time for a few hours of just me and…well, whatever.
Seemed like a good time to make a warm, delicious breakfast. Coffee in hand I pulled out all the ingredients and started stirring. About a half hour later I was savoring a bowl of steaming Toasted Coconut Breakfast Risotto.
I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Toasted Coconut Breakfast Risotto
Heat a small cast iron frying pan over a low heat. Add:
½ cup shredded, unsweetened coconut
Gently brown the coconut while tossing it lightly with a silicon spatula. The pan retains heat and will continue to brown the coconut so once you get it lightly browned remove it to a dish to cool.
Bring to a simmer in a medium saucepan then turn off the burner keeping the water there to remain warm:
2½ cups water
In a separate saucepan over medium heat add and heat for a minute:
1 tablespoon grapeseed or other vegetable oil
Stir in, coating with oil, and heating for another minute:
½ cup Arborio rice
Add and stir in:
¼ cup dried fruits (cherries, cranberries, raisins)
Now you’re going to add the hot water ¼ cup at a time. The first addition will create a bit of steam so add it carefully. Stir the risotto until the water evaporates and then add another quarter cup. Continue in this manner until all the water has been absorbed and the risotto is plump, soft, and creamy.
Caution: this requires a lot of attention and stirring. If you walk away to do some other tasks you may easily burn the risotto. Trust me on this.
When all the water is absorbed and the risotto is soft and creamy remove it from the heat.
Stir in the remaining ingredients:
¼ cup coconut milk
2 teaspoons maple syrup
½ teaspoon vanilla
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
pinch nutmeg (optional)
sea salt
Let it sit for a minute or two to cool and then gently stir in all but a heaping tablespoon of the toasted coconut. Serve in a bowl topped with a sprinkle of cinnamon, brown sugar and the remaining coconut.
Makes about 2 or 3 servings.
Risotto is a wonderful naturally gluten-free food that lends itself to so many flavoring options. Here are a few to get the ideas sparking:
Sensitive Pantry—Carmelized Fennel & Onion Risotto
Gluten Free Goddess—Roasted Acorn Squash Risotto
Gluten Free Girl—Bacon Spinach Risotto
Reader Comments (30)
This is a great idea! Love the idea toasted coconut risotto...thanks for sharing another great recipe!
Nancy, this looks AMAZING! What a great great idea!! I love the thought of making this for a hearty breakfast. You could even use the leftovers to make morning risotto cakes the next day! And here is to some nice quiet you time. I love when it is cold and blistery outside and I have the house ALL to myself! I hope you enjoyed it!
xo
k
This sounds wonderful, the whole would smell great too! Yumm...
Those pictures are stunning, Nancy! What a delicious breakfast.
I have been having major troubles with breakfast inspiration but I think that you just solved my debacle!! i can taste it already!
Aurea - So glad to be able to inspire you! I have the same problem with breakfast so I'm always looking for ways to spice it up a little. Enjoy.
My oh my. I became a fan of sweet risottos after I tried Jamie Oliver's recipe some time back. I tried this recipe earlier on, and it was totally awesome. I love the creamy texture of this sweet risotto! Not excessively rich, and perfect for breakfast:) Thanks for this recipe:)
Kayla - I will have to find that recipe from Jamie Oliver. I never thought of risotto as a sweet breakfast food but why not?? This was a nice hearty breakfast. Hope you enjoy it.
i've never had risotto for breakfast! what a unique and brilliant idea!
I saw this recipe in the Adopt a Gluten Free Blogger Round Up and it caught my attention immediately - risotto and coconut? Yum! I just finished making it for breakfast and really enjoyed it. Thank you!