Mango Sticky Rice

Embark on a flavorful journey to Southeast Asia with Mango Sticky Rice, a simple yet profoundly delicious dessert. This dish pairs the natural sweetness and fragrance of ripe mangoes with the unique texture of glutinous sticky rice, all brought together with a drizzle of creamy coconut sauce. It's a perfect combination of sweet, salty, and creamy flavors that captures the essence of tropical indulgence.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup glutinous (sticky) rice, soaked for at least 4 hours or overnight
• 1 1/4 cups coconut milk
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 ripe mangoes, peeled and sliced
• Sesame seeds or mung beans, toasted, for garnish (optional)
• Mint leaves, for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1. Drain the soaked rice and steam it for about 20-25 minutes, or until translucent and sticky. While rice is steaming, prepare the coconut sauce by combining coconut milk, sugar, and salt in a saucepan. Heat the mixture over medium heat until the sugar dissolves, then remove from heat.
2. Once the rice is cooked, transfer it to a bowl and while still hot, mix it with three-quarters of the coconut sauce. Cover and let it sit for about 30 minutes to allow the rice to absorb the sauce and become creamy.
3. To serve, place a portion of the sticky rice on a plate, arrange mango slices around it, and drizzle with the remaining coconut sauce. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds or mung beans and mint leaves, if using.

Enjoy Mango Sticky Rice as a delightful end to a meal or as a sweet snack to brighten your day. This dessert not only offers a taste of tropical paradise but also showcases the exquisite simplicity of Southeast Asian flavors.