Arroz de Coco e Papaia (Rice with Coconut and Papaya)
A delightful and subtly sweet rice dish from Angola, Arroz de Coco e Papaia balances the creamy richness of coconut milk with the tropical sweetness of papaya. It's often served as a side dish or a light dessert.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 cup Rice(long-grain white rice)
- 2 cups Coconut milk
- 1/4 cup Water
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Ground cinnamon
- 1 medium Papaya(peeled, seeded, and finely diced)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear.
💡 Tip: Rinsing removes excess starch, preventing the rice from becoming gummy. - 2
In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed rice, coconut milk, water, salt, and ground cinnamon.
💡 Tip: Ensure the rice is evenly submerged in the liquid. - 3
Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan tightly, and simmer for 20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid has been absorbed.
⏱️ 20 minutes - 4
Remove the saucepan from the heat and let it stand, covered, for 10 minutes. This allows the rice to steam and become fluffy.
⏱️ 10 minutes - 5
While the rice is resting, prepare the papaya. Dice half of the papaya finely and mash the other half. This creates a varied texture in the final dish.
💡 Tip: Using both diced and mashed papaya adds visual appeal and textural contrast. - 6
Fluff the cooked rice with a fork. Gently fold in the diced and mashed papaya.
💡 Tip: Be gentle when folding in the papaya to avoid breaking up the rice too much. - 7
Serve warm as a side dish or a light dessert.
💡 Tip: Can be served chilled as well.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Use fresh, ripe papaya for the best flavor.
- ✓Adjust the amount of cinnamon to your preference.
- ✓This dish can be served alongside savory Angolan main courses or as a standalone sweet treat.
🔄 Variations
- Add a tablespoon of sugar or honey if a sweeter dish is desired.
- A pinch of nutmeg can be added for extra warmth.