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Sobia
Rice and coconut milk drink
Sobia: creamy, ice-cold Ramadan drink of rice, coconut, milk and vanilla
Before the sunset call to prayer in Ramadan, juice shops in Cairo's old quarters fill plastic bags and jugs with sobia for families to carry home, and it is one of the classic drinks for breaking the fast. It is milky white, sweet and smooth, with a gentle coconut flavour and a light body from the rice that makes it filling after a long day without food. This version simmers the rice-coconut milk briefly so it is safe to keep for a day or two in the fridge. Allow an hour for soaking the rice. The common mistake is not straining well, which leaves the drink gritty; push it through muslin. Chef's tip: chill it for at least 3 hours, because sobia tastes flat unless it is ice-cold.
- Total time
- 25 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 6
Ingredients
- 2 ⅛ oz short-grain ricesoaked in water for 1 hour
- 1 ¾ oz desiccated coconut
- 2 cups water
- 3 ¼ cups whole milkcold
- 3 ½ oz sugaror to taste
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
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Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Drain the soaked 2 ⅛ oz short-grain rice and blend it with 1 ¾ oz desiccated coconut and 2 cups water until very smooth.
3 minStep 2: Strain through a muslin-lined sieve into a saucepan, squeezing the cloth firmly to get all the liquid out.
Step 3: Add 3 ½ oz sugar and bring to a simmer over a medium heat, stirring constantly, until slightly thickened and no longer tasting of raw rice.
5 minStep 4: Take off the heat, stir in 1 tsp vanilla extract and cool, then whisk in 3 ¼ cups whole milk.
Step 5: Chill for at least 3 hours. Stir or shake well and serve ice-cold. Keep in the fridge and drink within 2 days.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 230 kcal
- Protein
- 5 g
- Carbs
- 34 g
- Fat
- 8 g
- Fibre
- 1 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does sobia take?
- About 25 minutes in total: 15 minutes to prepare and 10 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 6 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of short-grain rice?
- Any long-grain rice, same amount.
- What can I use instead of whole milk?
- Semi-skimmed milk with 1 tbsp cream per 240ml (1 cup).
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Perfect for:RamadanSummer coolers