Description
This Creamy Coconut Rice Pudding is a luscious, comforting dessert made with coconut milk, fragrant vanilla, and tender short grain rice. Enhanced with exotic star anise and fresh or canned pineapple, this tropical twist offers a smooth, rich texture and delightful fruity notes. Perfect as a warm or chilled treat, it’s easy to prepare and vegan-friendly.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 can coconut milk (about 13.5 oz)
- ¼ cup short grain white rice
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp sugar (or 1 small pack “vanilla sugar” as alternative)
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 star anise
- ½ cup pineapple chunks (canned or fresh)
- ½ banana (optional, for mashing)
Instructions
- Heat the Coconut Milk: Pour the coconut milk into a pot and warm it over medium heat until it just starts to boil.
- Add the Rice: Stir in the short grain white rice once the milk begins to boil. Immediately reduce the heat to low to prevent the coconut milk fat from separating, which ensures a smooth, creamy pudding.
- Flavor the Pudding: Add vanilla extract, sugar, star anise, and a pinch of salt to the pot to infuse the rice pudding with aromatic flavors.
- Add Banana (Optional): If using, mash the banana and stir it into the mixture for extra creaminess and natural sweetness.
- Simmer: Cover the pot with a lid and let the pudding simmer gently on low heat for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mixture thickens and becomes creamy.
- Add Pineapple Juice (if using canned pineapple): Pour in 3-4 tablespoons of pineapple juice to elevate the fruity flavor of the pudding.
- Serve: Spoon the pudding into serving bowls and top with diced pineapple chunks for added texture and freshness.
- Optional Garnish: Blend some pineapple to make a puree and layer it on top of the pudding for a beautiful presentation and extra taste dimension.
- Enjoy: Serve warm or chilled and savor the sweet, tropical flavors of this creamy coconut rice pudding.
Notes
- Use short grain rice for the creamiest texture, as it releases more starch than long grain varieties.
- Reducing the heat quickly after boiling prevents the coconut fat from separating, which keeps the pudding smooth.
- Star anise adds a mild licorice note, but you can omit it if preferred.
- Adjust sweetness according to taste; vanilla sugar is a convenient alternative to regular sugar.
- This pudding can be served warm or cold, depending on your preference.
- For a gluten-free and vegan dessert, verify that sugar and other ingredients meet dietary standards.
- Fresh pineapple will add more texture, while canned pineapple provides a sweeter, softer element.
