Chickpea Curry With Coconut Rice

You can get a curry almost anywhere in the world, but this flavor profile is very Caribbean-focused.

- ERIC ADJEPONG

It's a sweet, spicy and savory dish with an amazing creamy texture,' says the Food Network star, who features the 'budget-friendly, nutrient-dense' recipe in his new cookbook Ghana to the World. 'It's one of my favorite things to make. It's a home run of a dish'

1½ cups uncooked white jasmine rice or basmati rice

1 cup tap water

1 tsp. granulated sugar

2 (13½-oz.) cans unsweetened coconut milk, well shaken and stirred, divided

2 tsp., plus a pinch of kosher salt, divided

3 Tbsp. neutral cooking oil (such as canola oil)

1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped

1 medium red bell pepper, finely chopped

5 scallions, thinly sliced, plus more for garnish

5 medium garlic cloves, thinly sliced