1. Cook the Sticky Rice

• ‍If using a rice cooker, place the rice into the rice cooker and cook with equal parts of rice to water.‍
• If steaming, line a steamer basket with a sheet of baking (parchment) paper or cheese cloth, ensuring it is large enough to hold and wrap around the rice.
  
  After draining, place the soaked rice into the lined basket and fold the paper over the top to form a loose parcel. Cover the basket with a lid and steam for 30–40 minutes until the rice is soft and fluffy.
  
  (Tip: If you don’t have a steamer, you can improvise using a metal colander set over a pot with simmering water, making sure the colander doesn’t touch the water.)

2. Make the Coconut Sauce:

While the rice is steaming, heat the coconut milk in a saucepan. Add the sugar to the milk, and stir until it dissolves.

Taste it and adjust the sugar level according to your preference - more sugar for a sweeter dish or less for a milder taste.

Allow the coconut milk to heat gently, but avoid boiling it.

3. Combine Coconut Milk with Rice:

Once the rice is ready, pour about 3/4 of the sweetened coconut milk into the sticky rice. Mix it through well. The rice will absorb most of the liquid, so don’t worry if it looks a bit runny at first - it will thicken up as it cools.

4. Thicken the Remaining Coconut Milk:

For the syrup, take the remaining coconut milk and add the cornflour (cornstarch) to it. Heat the mixture while stirring continuously until it thickens to a syrupy consistency. This syrup will be drizzled on top of the rice and mangoes later.

5. Assemble the Dish:

Once the rice is well-combined with the sweet coconut milk, it’s time to plate up. Spoon a generous serving of the sticky rice onto a plate. Top it with the fresh, ripe mango slices.

Drizzle the thickened coconut syrup over the rice and mango, and garnish with sesame seeds for an added crunch.

6. Serve and Enjoy:

Mango Sticky Rice is best served immediately while the rice is still warm. You can also serve it chilled, especially in hot weather, for a refreshing treat.

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FAQs

Can I use regular rice instead of sticky rice?

Traditional Mango Sticky Rice requires glutinous (sticky) rice for the perfect texture. Regular rice won’t work the same way, as it lacks the stickiness and chewy texture that makes this dish unique. Be sure to use glutinous rice for the best result.

How do I soak sticky rice properly?

Sticky rice should be soaked for at least 4 hours or, ideally, overnight. Soaking it allows the rice to soften and cook more evenly, ensuring the perfect consistency once steamed.

Can I make this dish ahead of time?

You can prepare the sticky rice and the coconut milk mixture ahead of time. Just store the rice in an airtight container, and reheat it before serving. However, it’s best to add the fresh mango slices and drizzle the syrup just before serving to keep everything fresh.

Can I adjust the sweetness level?

Yes! You can customise the sweetness of Mango Sticky Rice according to your preference. Start with 7 tablespoons of sugar and taste the coconut milk before adding more if desired. Some people prefer it on the sweeter side, while others like it more mild.

Can I use another type of fruit?

Mango is the traditional fruit used in this dish, but you can try other fruits such as dragon fruit or papaya. However, mango offers the best combination of sweetness and texture for this dessert.

Can I make this dessert vegan?

Yes, this recipe is naturally vegan as long as you use full-fat coconut milk and avoid adding any animal-based ingredients. It’s a plant-based dessert that's delicious and rich in flavour.

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