Sombi — Print Recipe — The Culinary Codex

A creamy, lightly sweet rice pudding simmered in coconut milk with vanilla and cinnamon. This delicate Mauritanian dessert offers a soothing end to any meal.

Ingredients

1 cup short-grain rice
400ml coconut milk
2 cups whole milk
4 tbsp sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp cinnamon
Pinch of nutmeg
Pinch of salt
Ground cinnamon for garnish

Instructions

1 Rinse rice thoroughly. Combine with coconut milk, whole milk, and a pinch of salt in a heavy pot.
2 Bring to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat, stirring frequently to prevent sticking.
3 Cook for 25-30 minutes, stirring often, until rice is completely tender and mixture is thick and creamy.
4 Stir in sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Cook for 5 more minutes until sugar dissolves.
5 Ladle into individual bowls or one large serving dish.
6 Serve warm or chilled, dusted with ground cinnamon. Both temperatures are traditional.

Did You Know?

Sombi is often the first solid food given to Mauritanian babies, gently thinned with extra milk as an introduction to grains.