Jamaican Coconut Sweet Rice

 Jamaican Coconut Sweet Rice

Ingredients:

• 1 cup jasmine or other long-grain white rice

• 1 1/2 cups coconut milk

• 1/2 cup water

• 1/4 cup sugar (or more, to taste)

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

• Garnish: toasted coconut flakes

Instructions:

1. Rinse the rice thoroughly in cold water until the water runs clear. Drain well.

2. In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed rice, coconut milk, water, sugar, and salt.

3. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar.

4. Once it boils, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid, and simmer for 18-20 minutes, or until all the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender.

5. Remove from the heat and let the rice stand, covered, for 5 minutes.

6. Stir in the vanilla extract.

7. Fluff the rice with a fork and serve warm, garnished with toasted coconut flakes.