Kelantan-Style Nasi Kerabu with Blue Butterfly Pea Rice

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A vibrant Malaysian blue rice dish served with fresh herbs, salted egg, and spiced fish crackers, inspired by Kelantan’s traditional flavors. This asian-inspired rice & grains ready in about 50 minutes pairs uncooked jasmine rice, butterfly pea flowers (dried), coconut milk for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 30 min Serves 4 Asian cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Rinse 2 cups uncooked jasmine rice under cold water until clear, then soak 1 cup dried butterfly pea flowers in 2 cups hot water for 15 minutes to extract the blue color.
  2. Step 2: Drain the rice and cook it with 1/2 cup coconut milk, 1 tsp salt, and 2 cups of the butterfly pea flower water in a rice cooker or on the stove until fluffy and vibrant blue.
  3. Step 3: While the rice cooks, prepare the sides: slice 1/2 cup long beans, rinse 1/2 cup bean sprouts, and wash 1/2 cup each of Thai basil and mint leaves. Julienne 1/2 cup cucumber.
  4. Step 4: To serve, plate a scoop of the blue rice and arrange the fresh herbs, vegetables, 2 quartered salted duck eggs, and 1 cup crispy fish crackers around it. Add 1/4 cup spicy sambal on the side and garnish with 4 lime wedges for squeezing.
  5. Step 5: Encourage diners to mix the rice with the herbs, sambal, and fresh lime juice for a balanced, tangy, and aromatic meal.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Kelantan-Style Nasi Kerabu with Blue Butterfly Pea Rice take to make?

Total time is about 50 minutes (20 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Kelantan-Style Nasi Kerabu with Blue Butterfly Pea Rice?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep uncooked jasmine rice from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Kelantan-Style Nasi Kerabu with Blue Butterfly Pea Rice?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Kelantan-Style Nasi Kerabu with Blue Butterfly Pea Rice for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Kelantan-Style Nasi Kerabu with Blue Butterfly Pea Rice?

Asian rice & grains like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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