Thai Mango Sticky Rice

Method

1. Rinse and soak the rice

   Put 200 g of Thai white glutinous rice in a bowl and rinse under cool running water, gently swishing the grains, until the water is much less cloudy. Cover with at least 5 cm (2 in) of fresh cool water and soak for 4 hours. Drain thoroughly in a fine-mesh sieve before steaming.

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2. Steam until tender

   

   Bring several centimeters of water to a steady simmer in a steamer pot, keeping the water level below the basket. Line the basket with damp cheesecloth or a clean thin kitchen towel, spread the drained rice in an even layer, fold the cloth loosely over it, and cover. Steam for 20 to 25 minutes, turning the rice over once after about 12 minutes. Begin checking at 20 minutes; the grains should look mostly translucent and feel chewy and tender with no chalky center. Add more boiling water to the pot if needed, taking care not to wet the rice.

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3. Make the coconut dressing and sauce

   While the rice steams, whisk 300 ml of full-fat canned coconut milk, 70 g of granulated sugar, and 2.5 g of fine sea salt in a small saucepan over low heat until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is steaming, 3 to 4 minutes; do not let it boil. Pour about one-quarter into a second small pan for serving. Keep the larger portion warm off the heat. Gently simmer the reserved portion for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring often, until it lightly coats a spoon, then remove it from the heat.

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4. Season and rest the rice

   

   Transfer the hot steamed rice to a wide bowl. Pour the larger portion of warm coconut dressing evenly over it and fold gently with a flexible spatula until every grain is coated. Cover the bowl and let the rice stand for 15 minutes, then fold once more. It should look glossy and moist but should not sit in a pool of liquid.

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5. Toast the sesame and prepare the mango

   Add 10 g of white sesame seeds to a dry skillet over low heat and toast for 2 to 3 minutes, shaking the pan often, until fragrant and lightly golden. Transfer them to a plate immediately so they do not scorch. Peel 500 g of ripe mangoes, cut the flesh away from the pits, and slice it into thick, tidy pieces.

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6. Plate and finish

   Divide the coconut sticky rice among serving plates while it is still warm. Arrange the mango alongside, spoon the lightly thickened coconut sauce over the rice, and finish with the toasted sesame. Serve immediately while the rice is supple and the mango is fresh.

Smart Substitutions

• Different mangoes? Use any ripe, fragrant mango with smooth flesh. Ataulfo, Nam Dok Mai, Kent, and Keitt are all good choices when fully ripe.
• Prefer palm sugar? Replace the granulated sugar by weight with finely chopped palm sugar and allow an extra minute for it to dissolve.
• No full-fat coconut milk? Thin coconut cream with water until it has the pourable consistency of full-fat coconut milk, then use the same total volume.
• No white sesame? Use the same quantity of black sesame seeds for a deeper toasted flavor and stronger visual contrast.

Tips and Variations

• Keep the steamer water below the rice. Direct contact with boiling water makes the grains wet and gluey instead of springy.
• Choose mangoes that yield slightly near the stem and smell fragrant; very soft fruit is harder to slice neatly.
• Taste the coconut dressing before it meets the rice. It should seem slightly saltier than expected because the rice and mango soften the seasoning.

What Went Wrong?

• Rice still has a hard center Return it to the steamer for 5 minutes, then check again. Also confirm that the pot is producing steady steam.
• Rice is wet and gluey The rice may have touched the simmering water or been packed too tightly. Keep it above the water and spread it in a looser, even layer.
• Coconut dressing looks oily It became too hot. Take it off the heat and whisk gently; keep future batches below a boil.
• Coconut sauce is too thin Return only the serving portion to low heat and stir for another minute or two until it lightly coats a spoon.

Nutrition Estimate

• Fiber: 4 g per serving
• Sodium: 260 mg per serving

Nutrition disclaimer:This recipe is provided for general cooking information only. Nutrition values are estimates and may vary by ingredients, brands, preparation methods, and serving sizes. Check ingredient labels and follow appropriate food-safety practices. This content is not medical, dietary, allergy, or professional food-safety advice.

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