Biko (Rice Pudding)

Biko (Rice Pudding)

“Biko is a classic Filipino rice pudding and is deliciously sweet, creamy and chewy made of glutinous rice, coconut milk, and brown sugar. It is usually made with light brown sugar, however I have used dark brown sugar as I had it in the pantry and was craving something sweet, hence the dark brown colour.”

Serves 12

Ingredients

1 cup peanuts, roasted and crushed to a coarse powder

3 cups coconut milk

2 cups glutinous rice

1 cup water

1 cup dark brown sugar

½ teaspoon salt

Directions

Grease bottom and sides of a 5 x 8-inch baking dish with some butter or cooking spray. Set aside.

Wash glutinous rice a few times or until water runs almost clear. Drain well.

In a thick bottom pot, combine rice, water and salt. Over medium heat, bring to a boil. Lower heat, cover, and cook until liquid is absorbed. Allow to cool to touch and fluff with a fork to separate grains. I cooked this in a rice cooker.

In a wide non-stick skillet over medium heat, combine coconut milk and brown sugar. Stir until blended and bring to a boil. Lower heat and continue to cook until slightly reduced and thickened.

Add rice, gently stirring to evenly distribute. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 20 minutes or until mixture is very thick, sticky, and pulls away from the sides of the pan.

Spoon Biko into the prepared baking dish and pat down with a lightly greased spatula to even out. Let the Biko cool completely. Cut into portions, and top with coarsely crushed peanuts. *If you want to make a smaller quantity, halve the ingredients and use a smaller baking dish.