Sombi (Senegalese Coconut Rice Pudding)
In short: Short-grain rice cooked until very soft, then simmered in coconut milk with sugar, vanilla and nutmeg into a thick, creamy pudding. It takes about 50 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 40 min
- Resting
- 1 h
- Total
- 50 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 310 kcal
Sombi is a creamy rice pudding that Senegalese families eat at breakfast, as dessert and during Ramadan. The rice is cooked until very soft, then simmered in coconut milk with sugar, vanilla and nutmeg until it thickens like custard. It can be eaten warm or chilled and keeps well in the fridge. Small broken rice gives the creamiest texture, but any short-grain rice works.
Instructions
- Put the rice and water in a heavy pot and bring to a boil. Lower the heat, cover and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring once or twice, until the rice is very soft and most of the water is gone.
- Stir in the coconut milk, sugar and salt. Cook uncovered over low heat for 15 minutes, stirring often, until the mixture is thick and creamy.
- Take the pot off the heat and stir in the vanilla and nutmeg. The pudding will thicken more as it cools.
- Serve warm in bowls, or cool and chill for at least 1 hour. Loosen with a splash of water or coconut milk if it sets too firmly.
Tips
- Stir the pot often once the coconut milk goes in, and keep the heat low so the bottom does not catch.
- For a richer pudding, stir 50 ml (3 tablespoons) more coconut milk into each bowl just before serving.
Questions and answers
Can I serve sombi hot or cold?
Both are common. Warm sombi is softer and more porridge-like, while chilled sombi sets into a thick pudding that you can slice or spoon.
How long does sombi keep?
Up to 4 days in a covered container in the fridge. Stir in a little water or coconut milk when reheating or serving to loosen it.
Can I use light coconut milk?
Yes, but the pudding will be less creamy. Use 100 ml (1/2 cup) less water and stir often, since it can scorch more easily.
How long does it take to make Sombi (Senegalese Coconut Rice Pudding)?
About 50 min in total: 10 min of preparation and 40 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Sombi (Senegalese Coconut Rice Pudding)?
About 310 kcal per serving, with 4 g of protein, 46 g of carbohydrates and 12 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 310 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 4 g |
| Carbohydrates | 46 g |
| Fat | 12 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 18 g |
| Sodium | 40 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
