Here’s a simple old-fashioned dessert that is just what the doctor ordered on a cold winter evening when you want something warm and sweet after dinner. You’ll find yourself sneaking a bowl out of the fridge for snacks and breakfast as well. If you want to be really decadent, you can add whipped cream on top. But this recipe tastes so rich and creamy it isn’t necessary. Lynn loves it. I get lots of atta-boy points when I make this……….
Traditional rice pudding recipes (and that mass-produced goop you buy in the store) are made with plain long-grain rice. I prefer to use Basmati. It makes a huge difference and imparts a flavor you won’t get otherwise. If you haven’t tried Basmati as a substitute for regular white rice, you are definitely missing out. I use it exclusively and don’t even have regular rice in the house. Using good quality cinnamon is important in this dish, don’t use that stuff that has been in the back of your pantry for the last 10 years. Use fresh spices. You can get whole nutmeg in the Hispanic section of your grocery store for a very reasonable price.
Ingredients
1 cup Basmati rice
6 cups whole milk
1 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
½ tsp good quality cinnamon (I use Chinese Cassia)
heaping ½ tsp kosher salt
a dash of ground nutmeg, or equivalent grated fresh from whole nutmeg (my preferred method)
Put all the ingredients in a saucepan and bring just to simmer over high heat, stirring often. Turn heat down to low and cover. Simmer gently for about 40 minutes, stirring occasionally and adjusting the heat to keep the simmer going. Watch carefully when the cooking time is almost up to avoid over-cooking. The rice pudding is done when it is thick and clings to the spoon. This can happen quickly, so when it is almost done you should be stirring every 2 – 3 minutes.
Dish into individual bowls immediately, and then give the pudding 5 minutes to cool down to eating temperature. Watch it disappear!
Your Daily Bread
Nehemiah 8:7-12 The Levites—Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan and Pelaiah—instructed the people in the Law while the people were standing there. They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people understood what was being read. Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and teacher of the Law, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, “This day is holy to the LORD your God. Do not mourn or weep.” For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law. Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” The Levites calmed all the people, saying, “Be still, for this is a holy day. Do not grieve.” Then all the people went away to eat and drink, to send portions of food and to celebrate with great joy, because they now understood the words that had been made known to them.
