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1
Steam the sticky rice until tender (see Editor's Notes, below).
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2
Meanwhile, place the coconut milk in a heavy pot and heat over medium heat until hot.
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3
Do not boil.
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4
Add the sugar and salt and stir to dissolve completely.
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5
When the sticky rice is tender, turn it out into a bowl and pour 1 cup of the hot coconut milk over; reserve the rest.
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6
Stir to mix the liquid into the rice, then let stand for 20 minutes to an hour to allow the flavors to blend.
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7
Meanwhile, peel the mangoes.
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8
The mango pit is flat and you want to slice the mango flesh off the pit as cleanly as possible.
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9
One at a time, lay the mangoes on a narrow side on a cutting board and slice lengthwise about 1/2 inch from the center your knife should cut just along the flat side of the pit; if it strikes the pit, shift over a fraction of an inch more until you can slice downward.
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10
Repeat on the other side of the pit, giving you two hemispherical pieces of mango.
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11
(The cook gets to snack on the stray bits of mango still clinging to the pit.)
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12
Lay each mango half flat and slice thinly crosswise.
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13
To serve individually, place an oval mound of sticky rice on each dessert plate and place a sliced half-mango decoratively beside it.
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14
Top with a sprig of mint or basil if you wish.
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15
Or, place the mango slices on a platter and pass it around, together with a serving bowl containing the rice, allowing guests to serve themselves.
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16
Stir the remaining sweetened coconut milk thoroughly, transfer to a small serving bowl or cruet, and pass it separately, with a spoon, so guests can spoon on extra as they wish.
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17
You can substitute black Thai sticky rice for half the white rice.
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18
Soak the two rices together; the white rice will turn a beautiful purple as it takes on color from the black rice.
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19
Cooking will take 10 minutes longer.
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20
Unlike plain sticky rice, Coconut Milk Sticky Rice has enough moisture and oils in it that it keeps well for 24 hours, in a covered container in the refrigerator, without drying out.
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21
Rewarm it the next day by steaming or in a microwave.
