Thai Rice Cake

Not a dry rice snack from the health food shop, but a sumptuous celebration gateau, made from Thai fragrant rice, tangy cream and with a fresh fruit topping. Recipe serves 8-10.

Ingredients:

Generous 1 cup Thai fragrant rice, rinsed
4 cups milk
Scant 1/2 cup caster sugar
6 green cardamom pods, crushed
2 bay leaves
1 1/4 cups cups whipping cream
6 eggs, separated
Red and white currants, sliced star fruit and kiwi fruit, to decorate
For the Topping:
1 cup double (thickened) cream
2/3 cup Quark or low-fat soft cheese
1 teaspoon vanilla essence
Grated rind of 1 lemon
3 tablespoons caster sugar

Method:

1. Grease and line a 10 inch (25 cm) round, deep cake tin. Cook the rice in a pan of boiling unsalted water for 3 minutes, then drain, return to the pan and pour in the milk. Stir in the caster sugar, cardamoms and bay leaves. Bring to the boil, then lower the heat and simmer the rice for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Allow the mixture to cool, then remove the bay leaves and cardamom husks.
2. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C). Spoon the rice mixture into a bowl. Beat in the cream and then the egg yolks. Whisk the egg whites until they form soft peaks, then fold them into the rice mixture.
3. Spoon into the prepared tin and bake for 45-50 minutes until risen and golden brown. Chill overnight in the tin. Turn the cake out on to a large serving plate.
4. Whip the cream until stiff, then gently fold in the Quark or soft cheese, vanilla essence, lemon rind and sugar.
5. Cover the top of the cake with the cream mixture, swirling it attractively. Decorate with red and white currants, sliced star fruit and kiwi fruit.