Last Updated on 12/1/2008

Published on 7/1/2008

The mango and fresh basil add a sweet, refreshing flavor to this creamy rice pudding.

Coconut Rice Pudding

Parfait with Mango

and Basil

2 1/2 cups water

Pinch of salt

1 cup long-grain white rice (such as jasmine or basmati)

2 cups whole milk

14 1/2-ounce can coconut milk

1/4 cup packed light brown sugar

1/4 cup granulated sugar

14 fresh basil leaves

2 large firm, ripe mangoes, peeled, pitted and finely chopped

2 tablespoons lime juice

Bring the water to a boil. Add salt. Add the rice, then reduce the heat to low, cover and cook for 20 minutes. Remove pan from the heat and let the rice stand, covered, for 10 minutes.

Stir the milk, coconut milk and both sugars into the rice. Bring the mixture just to a boil over medium heat.

Reduce the heat and cook at a bare simmer, stirring frequently at first and constantly toward the end, for about 30 minutes, or until the mixture is thick and creamy and the rice is very soft.

Transfer the rice to a bowl and let cool to room temperature, stirring frequently to keep a skin from forming.

Refrigerate the rice pudding, tightly covered, for at least 4 hours, or until thoroughly chilled and set.

To serve, cut 6 basil leaves into fine shreds. In a medium bowl, stir together the mango, shredded basil and lime juice.

Spoon a layer of 1/2 cup rice pudding into each of 8 short glasses.

Add 2 tablespoons of the mango mixture to each, then top with about 1/4 cup pudding.

Finish with a final layer of 2 tablespoons of the mango mixture.

Garnish each with a whole basil leaf. Servings: 8.

-- Recipe from Lori Longbotham's "Luscious Creamy Desserts" (Chronicle Books, 2008, $19.95).