Coconut Sticky Rice

Photo: flickr user Tavallai

Ingredients

2 cups well-washed glutinous rice

2 cups coconut milk

1 cup dark brown sugar

1/4 cup water

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1/2 cup freshly-grated coconut

Preparation

In a saucepan, bring the rice and coconut milk to a boil, stir several times and turn off the heat. Let stand for 15 minutes to allow the rice to absorb the milk.

Pile rice on aluminum foil in a Chinese-style steamer (or a deep saucepan with a vegetable steamer set into pan), and steam for 20 minutes.

Make a fairly thick syrup by cooking the brown sugar, water and salt in a saucepan over medium-low heat for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and add vanilla extract.

To serve, place a mound of rice on a plate. Scatter 1 heaping tablespoon grated coconut over the rice, and drizzle syrup over the rice-coconut mixture.