HOT RICE CEREAL WITH DRIED MANGO AND TOASTED COCONUT

This surprisingly rich-tasting cereal is a healthful rice pudding — for breakfast. If you can't find dried mango in your local supermarket or natural foods store, you can use dried apricots instead.

2 cups water
1 cup long- or short-grain brown rice
2 cups nonfat milk
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon grated orange peel
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 cup dried mango or dried apricots
2 tablespoons sweetened flaked coconut, lightly toasted

Bring 2 cups water to boil in heavy medium saucepan. Add rice. Reduce heat; cover and simmer until rice is tender and water is absorbed, about 50 minutes. (Rice can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)

Mix milk into rice in heavy medium saucepan. Boil until mixture is thick, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium. Add sugar and orange peel and cook until flavors blend, stirring frequently, about 5 minutes longer. Remove saucepan from heat. Mix in vanilla extract. Spoon cereal into bowls. Top with dried mango and toasted coconut and serve.