KIRIBATH (COCONUT MILK RICE)

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Kiribath (Coconut Milk Rice) image

Learn to make Kiribath, Sri Lankan coconut milk rice. It's cooked by the Sinhalese to mark the new year in April.

Provided by Prakash K. Sivanathan and Niranjala M. Ellawala

Categories     Rice     Breakfast     Coconut     Sri Lanka

Yield Serves 4

Number Of Ingredients 5

500g (1lb 2oz / 2 1⁄3 cups) white rice (basmati or patna)
1 litre (about 35 fl oz/4 ¼ cups) water
2 tsp salt
400ml (14 fl oz / 1 2⁄3 cups) coconut milk
butter, for greasing

Steps:

  • Put the rice into a medium, lidded saucepan and cover with water. Swirl the rice around to wash it, drain and repeat at least twice until the water is clear. Then, add the 1 litre (about 35 fl oz/4 ¼ cups) of water and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat to medium, half-cover with the lid, and cook until all the water is absorbed, about 18-20 minutes.
  • Then, add the salt and coconut milk and stir into the rice. Cook uncovered over a low to medium heat until all the milk is absorbed, about 5-10 minutes depending on the rice you use. If the rice is not cooked, add extra boiling water and cook over a very low heat until soft. Take the rice off the heat and set aside for a couple of minutes to cool very slightly.
  • Transfer the moist rice to a platter, and then smooth and flatten it until it is about 5cm (2 inches) tall and the same shape as the platter. You can either use a spatula, or you can put your hand inside a sandwich bag and use that to shape the rice. Put a little buttter on the spatula or the sandwich bag for a smooth effect. Leave the rice to rest for 1-2 minutes, then cut it into diamond shapes or squares while slightly warm so that the pieces do not break. Serve with Pol Sambol, Katta Sambol, or Ambul Thial.

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