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The dessert, From around the world

Mango sticky rice

Mango sticky rice is a Thai dessert for 6 people, with 30 minutes of hands-on work split between the day before and serving time. The rice soaks overnight, then steams and absorbs coconut milk the same morning. It's easy to make, costs €2.00 per person, and success comes down to ripe mangoes and pouring the coconut milk while the rice is still hot.

I'm taking you on a trip to Thailand with coconut sticky rice and slices of ripe mango.

Mango sticky rice
For
6 people
Work
30 min
Total time
1 h 10
Prep
Prepared the day before
Difficulty
Easy
Cost per person
€2.00
Calories per person
520 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach

Coconut sticky rice has that texture that clings lightly to your fingers, soft and sweet, set next to slices of ripe mango, juicy and fragrant. The slightly salted coconut sauce and toasted sesame seeds bring the contrast that makes this dessert work, somewhere between sweetness and crunch.

It's a dessert that feels like a trip somewhere else without needing any special equipment, perfect for ending a dinner party with an Asian theme or for surprising guests in the middle of summer when mangoes are at their best. It also works well for a family meal, kids love its texture and sweet taste.

The schedule

What happens when, so you can be with your guests instead of in the kitchen.

  1. The day before 1 step
  2. The same day 2 steps, 25 min
  3. Before the guests arrive 2 steps, 2 min
  4. When it's time to serve 1 step

The day before, start soaking the rice, this is the one step you can't skip. In the morning, steam the rice and mix it with hot coconut milk so it absorbs everything. Right before guests arrive, make the sauce and toast the sesame seeds, then slice the mangoes and plate everything when it's time to serve.

The ingredients

6 people

Pantry

  • Sticky rice 300 g
  • Coconut milk 40 ml
  • Granulated sugaroften in the pantry 70 g
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Coconut milk for the sauce 15 ml
  • Sugar for the sauceoften in the pantry 1 tbsp
  • Sesame seedsoften in the pantry 2 tbsp

Fruits and vegetables

  • Ripe mangoes 3

Allergens Sesame

The recipe, moment by moment

The day beforeWhat's better after resting overnight in the fridge.

  1. Rinse the rice several times until the water runs clear, then let it soak overnight.

    Sticky rice needs a long soak, otherwise it stays hard.

The same dayDuring the day, whenever you get a moment.

  1. Drain the rice and steam it until tender and translucent. 25 min

    Spread it on a cloth in the steamer basket so the steam passes through evenly.

  2. Heat the coconut milk with the sugar and salt, pour it over the hot rice and let it soak in.

    Cover the rice for half an hour, it drinks up all the coconut milk.

Before the guests arriveThe last hour, right before the doorbell rings.

  1. Heat the coconut milk for the sauce with the sugar and a pinch of salt, then let it cool.

    This sauce is for drizzling, it should taste a little salty.

  2. Toast the sesame seeds in a dry pan. 2 min

    Stir constantly, they brown within seconds.

When it's time to serveThe final touches, right in front of your guests.

  1. Peel the mangoes, slice them, and plate with a portion of rice, drizzle with sauce and sprinkle with sesame seeds.

    Pick mangoes that give slightly under your thumb, they're sweeter.

Our tips to get it right

  • Always use sticky rice, also called glutinous rice or sweet rice, regular round rice will never give you the right texture.
  • Taste the coconut sauce before serving, it should be just slightly salty to balance the sweetness of the rice and the mango.
  • If your mangoes aren't ripe yet on the day, buy them a few days ahead and let them ripen at room temperature.

The variations

  • Swap the mango for ripe peach or fresh pineapple if you're serving this outside mango season.
  • For a quicker version, use frozen pre-steamed sticky rice, it skips the soaking and steaming steps entirely.
  • For kids, sprinkle shredded coconut instead of sesame seeds, it has a milder taste.

What to serve it with

  • Green tea or jasmine tea afterward
  • Grilled pineapple skewers as a sweet starter
  • Thai iced coffee to finish

Storage

The sticky rice keeps for 2 days in the fridge in a sealed container, with the sauce stored separately. Don't freeze this dessert, the rice would lose its soft texture. Warm the rice for a few seconds in the microwave or let it come back to room temperature before serving.

Questions about this recipe

Can I use regular rice instead of sticky rice?

No, round or basmati rice won't give you the sticky texture this dessert needs. Sticky rice, also sold as Thai rice or glutinous rice, is essential here.

How do I know when the sticky rice is cooked through?

It should be soft, translucent, and slightly sticky to the bite, with no hard center. Taste a grain after 20 minutes of steaming to check.

What's a nice way to plate this dessert?

Press the rice into a small dome using a bowl, fan out the mango slices beside it, then drizzle with sauce and finish with toasted sesame seeds.

Can I make this for more than 6 people?

Yes, just scale the ingredients up proportionally. Steam the rice in batches if your steamer basket is small, so it cooks evenly.

Can mango sticky rice be made ahead?

Yes, it's even recommended. The recipe needs 30 min of work in total, split up like this, the day before, 1 step, the same day, 2 steps, before the guests arrive, 2 steps, when it's time to serve, 1 step.

How long does it take to make mango sticky rice?

Allow 1 h 10 in total, including resting and cooking time, of which 30 min is actual work. The recipe is rated "easy".

How many calories are in mango sticky rice?

About 520 kcal per person, for a recipe meant for 6 people. The calories are calculated by Kiloach, your kilo coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does mango sticky rice cost?

About €2.00 per person, that's €12.00 for 6 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains sesame. Remember to ask your guests about their allergies before putting your menu together.

To round out your menu

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250 kcalcalculated by Kiloach

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