Tropical Coconut Rice Delight

1. Cook the rice

Begin by bringing 2 cups of water to a boil in a large saucepan. Once the water is boiling, stir in 1 cup of medium-grain rice and 0.25 teaspoon of salt. Cover the saucepan and let the rice simmer gently, making sure to stir occasionally. This simmering process should take about 15 to 20 minutes, or until the water is almost fully absorbed by the rice. This ensures the rice absorbs the water evenly, giving it the perfect texture.

2. Add coconut milk and half-and-half

Next, add 2.5 cups of coconut milk, 2.5 cups of half-and-half, and 0.67 cup of sugar to the saucepan. Increase the heat to medium-high to bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to maintain a gentle simmer for about 30 minutes. This step is crucial as it prevents the mixture from burning and ensures even thickening. You will know it’s thickening well when the mixture starts to develop a creamy consistency.

3. Continue cooking and stirring

Reduce the heat to low and continue cooking for an additional 15 minutes, stirring every couple of minutes. This frequent stirring is important to prevent the rice from sticking to the bottom and scorching. The pudding will be ready when the spoon can stand up in it.

4. Add flavorings

Once the cooking is done, take the saucepan off the heat and stir in 0.5 cup of raisins, 1.5 teaspoons of vanilla extract, and 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon. These ingredients add a delightful burst of flavor and aroma, complementing the creamy, coconut-rich pudding.

5. Serve

Serve the pudding warm, generously sprinkled with toasted sweetened shredded coconut for an added crunch and extra coconut flavor. If you have leftovers, you can store them in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.