(Sweet Black Rice)
Because Thais don't really have a dessert tradition, this simple black rice dish with coconut milk is most commonly eaten as a sweet snack or for breakfast — it also, however, makes a wonderful end to a meal. Recently available in North America, black glutinous rice is unpolished, so it is quite chewy, like brown rice. Thais make a more tender dish by combining the black rice with white sticky rice. As the rices soak together before steaming, the white rice takes on color from the black to become a beautiful dark purple.
Recipe information
Yield
Serves 6 to 8 as a dessert or sweet snack
Ingredients
Preparation
Step 1
Soak and steam black rice and sticky rice together, following procedures in recipe for Sticky Rice .
Step 2
While rice is steaming, in a small saucepan heat coconut milk, sugar, and salt over low heat, stirring occasionally, until sugar is dissolved. Keep sauce warm, covered.
Step 3
Transfer steamed rice to a bowl and immediately pour warm sauce over it, stirring gently. Let rice mixture stand covered, at room temperature at least 30 minutes and up to 3 hours for rice to absorb sauce and flavors to blend. Do not chill mixture or it will dry out and harden.
Step 4
Serve rice with fruit.