Rice with coconut milk is a culinary specialty originally from Sri Lanka, where it is prepared for special occasions or for breakfast on the first day of each month. The people of Sri Lanka believe that rice with coconut milk is a good luck food. Read the article and follow this simple and delicious recipe to prepare three servings of rice with coconut milk.
Ingrediants
- 500 g of brown or white rice
- Pinch of salt
- 720 ml of water
- 240 ml of coconut milk (you can replace it with cow's milk)
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Cook the Rice
Step 1. Wash the rice
Observe it carefully and remove any small stones or debris, then rinse it carefully under a jet of cold water. Pour it into a medium-sized pot.
Step 2. Add the water and salt
Pour them over the rice, then cover the pot.
Step 3. Cook the rice over medium-low heat
Continue cooking the rice, keeping the pan covered, until it is soft and plump. At the end of cooking the water must have been almost completely absorbed by the rice, it should take about 15 minutes.
- Be careful not to burn the rice. If it feels like it's cooking too fast, reduce the heat.
- Alternatively, you can cook the rice in a rice cooker. When cooked, transfer the rice to a saucepan before adding the milk.
Method 2 of 3: Add the milk
Step 1. Reduce heat to low and add milk
Pour in the milk slowly and mix the rice with a spoon. Make sure the flame is reduced to low to simmer the mixture; excessive heat would negatively affect the flavor of the rice.
Step 2. Simmer the rice and milk mixture for about ten minutes
Make sure it doesn't cook too quickly, and if it does, reduce the heat.
- As the rice cooks slowly, taste the mixture and salt it as needed. Add a small amount of salt at a time until the desired flavor is achieved.
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In Sri Lanka, tradition does not include the addition of any other ingredient but, if you wish, you can sweeten the dish with sugar or flavor it with pepper and spices to taste, customizing it according to your tastes.
Step 3. Remove the pot from the heat
The dish will take on the consistency of a creamy porridge. Let it cool for about five minutes.
Method 3 of 3: Shape the Rice
Step 1. Transfer the rice to a flat plate
Prefer a flat and wide plate. Transfer the rice with the help of a spoon and distribute it evenly over the entire surface of the dish.
- If possible, use a non-stick dish to prevent the rice from sticking to the bottom.
- If you don't have a non-stick dish available, grease the bottom of a metal or glass pan.
Make Milk Rice Step 8 Step 2. Flatten the rice
Use the back of a wooden spoon to press the rice against the plate. Alternatively, use a spatula or waxed parchment paper.
Step 3. Shape the rice
With a knife, cut the rice diagonally in one direction, then repeat the operation in the opposite direction. In this way you will model it giving it the classic shape of a diamond, just like in the best Sri Lankan tradition.
Make Milk Rice Step 10 Step 4. Cut the rice
When the rice has cooled slightly and hardened, you can remove it from the plate. Lift it with the help of a spatula and arrange it on serving plates.
- If desired, further flavor your preparation with more coconut milk.
- Traditionally, rice with coconut milk is served with curry.
Advice
- To serve it in the traditional way, spread the rice on a flat surface giving it a thickness of about 2-3 cm. Level the mixture with the help of a clean banana leaf or cling film.
- Experiment with adding honey, brown sugar, or a sambal sauce (sambal sauce is a mixture made from chili, onion, salt, and lime juice.)
