Nagaland Naga Sticky Rice Sweet Coconut Jaggery Festival

Ingredients

• 1.5 cups glutinous rice (sticky rice) — soaked 2 hours
• 3/4 cup thick coconut milk
• 1.5 cups water
• 1/2 cup jaggery — grated
• 1/4 tsp cardamom powder
• A pinch of salt
• 2 tbsp roasted sesame seeds for garnish

Method

1. Drain soaked glutinous rice.
2. Combine coconut milk, water, grated jaggery and salt in a heavy pot.
3. Heat on medium stirring until jaggery dissolves completely.
4. Add drained soaked rice to the coconut-jaggery liquid.
5. Bring to a gentle simmer. Stir.
6. Reduce to the lowest heat. Cover and cook for 20 to 22 minutes, stirring gently every 7 minutes, until the rice is completely cooked through and has absorbed all the liquid.
7. Add cardamom powder. Stir.
8. The sweet sticky rice should be cohesive and creamy from the coconut milk, with a warm golden colour from the jaggery.
9. Garnish with roasted sesame seeds. Serve warm.