To make sweet rice, here is a general method combining key steps from various recipes:
Ingredients
- Rice (white, Arborio, or broken rice)
- Water
- Milk (regular, evaporated, condensed, or cream)
- Sugar
- Spices such as cinnamon sticks, cardamom pods, cloves
- Optional: raisins, vanilla extract, nutmeg, custard powder for thickening
Basic Method
- Wash and soak rice
Rinse the rice several times until water runs clear, then soak it overnight or for a few hours to soften the grains
- Cook rice with spices
In a pot, bring water to a boil with cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves. Add the soaked rice and cook until the water is mostly absorbed and the rice is tender but slightly thickened
- Add milk and sweeten
Gradually add milk (can be evaporated or condensed milk for creaminess) and sugar to the rice. Stir and simmer gently, allowing the mixture to thicken to a creamy, porridge-like consistency. Add raisins and vanilla extract if desired
- Simmer and finish
Continue cooking on low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until the rice reaches your preferred thickness. Optionally, add cream or custard powder to enrich texture
- Serve
Sweet rice can be served warm or chilled, sometimes garnished with nuts or malai (cream)
Tips
- Slow cooking and occasional stirring help achieve a silky texture
- Using broken rice or Arborio rice yields creamier results
- For a dairy-free version, use almond milk and brown sugar, cooking similarly in an Instant Pot or on stove
This method produces a rich, flavorful sweet rice dessert enjoyed in many cultures with slight variations in spices and milk types. Sources:
