Khao Neaw Mamuang

 

Sticky Rice with Mango

        This is a popular dessert in Thailand which is something that you can prepare at home. Canned coconut milk can be substituted for fresh. Glutinous rice is not hard to find although they may be called by other names depending on your location. And mangoes are popular the world over.
       While there’s nothing like fresh coconut cream, the canned version is not an altogether bad substitute. If using canned, get coconut cream instead of coconut milk, reserve what you need for the sauce and just dilute the remainder with water for cooking the rice.
       This is for four servings.


     INGREDIENTS:
1 c. of glutinous rice
1-1/2 c. of coconut milk
a pinch of salt
1 tbsp. of sugar
4 ripe mangoes

     For the sauce:
1/2 c. of coconut cream
4 tsps. of sugar
a pinch of salt

     To garnish:
1 tsp. each of white and black sesame seeds, dry toasted

     PREPARATION:

     Sticky rice:

1. Soak glutinous rice in water for at least six hours.

2. In a pot bring half of the coconut milk and the water to boil. Reduce heat and add sticky rice, sugar and salt.

3. Cover the rice and let simmer for 20 minutes.

4. Pour in rest of the coconut milk and stir.

     Mango:
1. Slice the mangoes to remove the stones at the center.
2. Using a sharp knife, score the mangoes (don’t cut through the skins!) to make slices about a quarter of an inch thick. Do this diagonally so that you’ll have closely uniform slices.
3. Using a spoon, scoop out the mango flesh.
4. Do the same with all the mangoes.
5. Place about 1/4 cup of rice at the center of a plate. An ice cream scoop is useful but not essential.
6. Arrange the mango slices around the rice, dividing them equally among the four plates.
7. Pour the coconut cream around the mango slices.

       Tips:
     1) Don’t overdo the coconut cream. Because
  - It is very rich and too much may give you stomach trouble.
  - Too much and you’ll overpower the natural sweetness of the mangoes.
You just want enough to dip the rice in.
     2) You might sprinkle the toasted sesame seeds over the rice and mangoes and serve.
     3) For maximum enjoyment, dip each spoonful of rice in the coconut cream and make sure that you add a slice or two of mangoes to the spoon before lifting it to your lips.