Content

• Method 2 of 3: Add milk
• Method 3 of 3: Shape the rice
• Tips

1 Rinse the rice. Remove small stones and other debris from the rice, then rinse with cold running water. Place the rice in a medium saucepan.

2 Add water and salt. Add water to the rice and cover.

3 Cook rice over medium heat. Cook covered rice until soft and plump and water is completely absorbed. This should take about 15 minutes.

• Make sure that the rice does not burn. If you find it cooking too quickly, turn down the heat.
  
  
• You can also cook rice in a rice cooker. Transfer the cooked rice to a saucepan before adding the milk.

Method 2 of 3: Add milk

1. 1 Reduce heat to low and add milk. Pour milk slowly and stir the rice with a spoon. Reduce heat so that the mixture boils slightly. If the heat is too high, the texture of the dish will deteriorate.
2. 2 Cook the rice and milk over low heat for ten minutes. Make sure the rice isn't cooking too quickly, or if so, reduce the heat even more.
   • Taste the rice to determine if it has enough salt, and salt if necessary.
   • In Sri Lanka, no other ingredients are added to the dish, but you can personalize dairy rice by adding a small amount of sugar or spices.
     
     
3. 3 Remove the pan from heat. The dish should have the consistency of creamy porridge. Let it cool for about five minutes.

Method 3 of 3: Shape the rice

1. 1 Transfer the rice to a shallow dish. A wide, flat baking dish works well. Using a spoon, spread all the rice evenly in the dish.
   • Use a non-stick dish as the rice can stick.
   • If you do not have a nonstick pan, oil the bottom of a glass or metal pan.
2. 2 Line up the rice. Press down on the rice using the back of a wooden spoon. You can also use a spatula or a piece of oiled wax paper.
3. 3 Shape the rice. Use the knife to cut the rice diagonally in one direction and then diagonally in the other direction. This is how, in the form of diamonds, milk rice is served in Sri Lanka.
4. 4 Slice the rice. Once the dish has cooled slightly and hardened, cut it into diamonds with a knife. Use a spatula to remove it from the mold and place it on a serving plate.
   • You can add milk to the taste of your dish by sprinkling it with coconut milk.
   • Dairy rice is traditionally served with curry.

Tips

• Traditionally, rice is laid out on a tray or board in a layer of about 2.5 cm and pressed against a peeled banana leaf or plastic wrap.
• Try adding honey, jaggery, or sambol chili. (Chili sambol can be made by mixing chopped onions, chili, salt, and lime juice.)