Sweet Rice Delight

This sweet rice is nourishing and cooling. The sweet tastes of the rice, coconut, raisins or dates, and vanilla help to calm the nervous system and induce relaxation and a sense of joy. Cardamom, cinnamon, and fennel are sweet and pungent herbs, making them a digestive aid in addition to adding sweetness to the dish.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup white basmati rice
1 cup coconut milk (cow’s milk can be used)
1 cup water
1 tsp. ghee or coconut oil
1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground cardamom
1/4 tsp. whole fennel seeds
1/4 tsp. vanilla
pinch of salt
handful pecans or other nuts
handful raisins or dates
maple syrup or other sweetener if desired

Preparation Method:

Combine the rice, water, and coconut milk in a pot and bring to a low boil. Reduce the heat to simmer, adding all of the other ingredients. You may want to soak the nuts and raisins overnight to aid in their digestibility. Cook the rice until it is very soft, and much of the liquid is absorbed, but still quite moist. This will take about 30 minutes, depending on how hot the stove is. I prefer the rice to be very soft and a little soupy, almost like a pudding. You may need to add more water. This recipe does very well in a solar oven, for those of you who enjoy cooking with the sun! If using a solar oven, you can add everything to the pot in the beginning.