What happens when you crave something sweet while watching Anthony Bourdain’s travels around India? You begin searching for saffron rice pudding recipe recipes. Although my pantry was not stocked with all the ingredients necessary to make an authentic Kher, I was still able to make this delicious creamy rice pudding. It is full of almonds, cinnamon, vanilla and almonds. This rice pudding is a delicious and affordable dessert.
WHAT IS RICE PUDDING?
Rice pudding is a sweet and thick mixture of rice and milk cooked until it becomes creamy and soft. You can add warm spices such as vanilla or cinnamon to flavour it. Sometimes, you may also find other ingredients like nuts or raisins. This comforting, simple dish is easy to prepare and always tastes good. Although this dish is believed to have originated in China, many other cultures have their versions of rice pudding. Each culture has its unique mix of rice varieties, spices and add-ins.
DO YOU EAT IT HOT?
Rice pudding also tastes delicious, both hot and cold. It’s warm and comforting, almost like a warm cinnamon-vanilla hug. It’s refreshing to eat it cold, much like Horchata.
What kind of rice is best for rice pudding?
Rice pudding can be made with any rice. It doesn’t matter what rice you use; it is up to you which one you prefer. Because I had jasmine rice on hand, I decided to make rice pudding. I love the fragrant taste and aroma it gives. Basmati rice works well if you don’t have jasmine rice. Or you can use long-grain white plain rice.
LEFTOVER RICE CAN BE TRIED AS A SHORT CUTS
Although the recipe below calls for uncooked rice, rice pudding can be made from leftover rice. You can use leftover rice by using 2 cups cooked rice with 2 cups milk instead of the 1/2 cup rice, 4 cups milk and the recipe below. Add the rice to the saucepan after toasting the nuts and spices in butter.
CAN I USE MILK FROM A NON-DAIRY RESTAURANT?
You can make rice pudding with any milk. Keep in mind that the milk type you use will impact the creaminess of your rice pudding. Coconut milk would make the rice pudding even more delicious.
WHAT ELSE CAN YOU ADD?
This dessert can be used as a starting point for other ingredients. These are some additional ingredients you can add to rice pudding.
- Raisins
- Other nuts: Walnuts, pecans and pistachios
- Caramel or dulche de leche
- Saffron
- Cardamom
- Chocolate
- Toasted coconut
- Instant coffee
CREAMY RICE PUDDING
- Creamy rice pudding is an easy, delicious, and affordable dessert full of warm flavours such as vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg.
INGREDIENTS
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- 1 Tbsp butter ($0.11)
- 1/4 cup sliced almonds ($0.44)
- 1/2 cup uncooked long-grain jasmine rice* ($0.16)
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon ($0.02)
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg ($0.02)
- 4 cups whole milk* (0.80)
- 1/4 cup sugar ($0.04)
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract ($0.07)
- 1/4 tsp salt ($0.02)
INSTRUCTIONS
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- Heat the butter, rice, and almonds in a saucepan on medium heat. Stir the rice and almonds into the butter until the butter melts.
- Stir in the cinnamon and nutmeg and cook for another 30-60 seconds.
- Stir the milk, sugar and vanilla into the pot. Let the mixture simmer on medium heat for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- After the rice has steamed, reduce the heat to medium-low. Cook the rice for 40 minutes without using a lid. Stirring occasionally, the rice will continue to cook until it becomes very soft and thickens. As it cooks, the pudding will thicken even more.
- You can either warm the rice pudding or refrigerate it and then serve it cold the next day.
