The first rice puddings were served using honey as a sweetener and using goats milk to create it's creamy texture, but over time and as this dish moved to different countries, it was refined into the rice pudding that we now know today. Convenient and low cost to prepare, this simple recipe may be one that you may want to take a little closer look at. Low fat, low sodium, and safe for most people with allergies to other grain products this dessert is a deliciously nutritious treat to serve one's family. It doesn't take a lot of time to prepare and it is a healthier alternative to packaged pudding mixes.
Traditional Rice Pudding Recipe
Rice pudding is generally served with raisins as one of its key ingredients but for something a little different simply delete the raisins when preparing the traditional recipe and add in your favourite flavouring. When pudding is slightly cooled add in a favourite fruit of your choosing. Serve it with a scoop of vanilla, strawberry, or maple walnut ice cream.
2 cups cooked rice
3 cups milk
1/4 teaspoon of salt
1/2 cup of sugar
1 egg
1/2 cup of milk
1 teaspoon of cinnamon
1 tablespoon butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup raisins (optional)
1. In a large pot combine rice, three cups of milk, sugar and salt. Stir constantly while you cook this mixture over medium-high heat for approximately fifteen to twenty minutes or until rice mixture begins to form a thick creamy texture.
2. Add in raisins and cinnamon. Beat egg into remaining one half cup of milk and then add into the rice mixture. Stir constantly while adding the egg to prevent it from cooking too quickly. Cook for approximately three to five minutes more.
3. Remove from heat, cool slightly, and then add in margarine and vanilla. The pudding will thicken as it cools so don't worry if it appears to be quite liquidy. Rice pudding tastes best when it is served with either a quarter cup of milk, or a scoop of ice cream added into the dish that it is served in.
When it comes to rice pudding you have a fabulous base to begin with and a variety of methods you can use to personalize this dessert so don't be nervous when it comes to a little experimenting. It is pretty easy to get this pudding to taste pretty great regardless of your current cooking expertise. Choose which add ins you think will make your dessert taste amazing.
Raisins
Cinnamon
Walnuts
Maple syrup
Peaches
Raspberries
Pineapple chunks sprinkled on top
Diced pear sprinkled on top
Apple chunks sprinkled on top
Blueberries sprinkled on top
Strawberries sprinkled on top
A dab of yogurt on top
A sprinkle of chocolate chips on top
A sprinkle of sunflower seeds on top
As cooked rice generally has a bland flavour virtually any fruit or flavouring will liven up its taste. You can add in one can of diced peaches to create a wonderfully delicious peachy rice pudding. If your tastebuds are craving something with a little more zip skip the raisins and the peaches and instead add in one can of diced mandarin oranges to give your rice pudding dish a truly unique flavour. Never be afraid to experiment with your recipes. You might be pleasantly surprised by what you can create.
Should I choose brown or white rice? A general rule of thumb is that the less refined a food product is then the more nutritious it is. This applies also to rice. Brown rice is closer to its natural state and as such should contain more nutrition than its white counterpart. White rice has been stripped of its husk, bran, and germ which increases both its flavour and shelf life. Unfortunately this process also decrease the health benefits you would otherwise receive from consuming it in its natural state. This is why white rice is often fortified to increase its nutritional content can bring it almost in line with the benefits of brown.
When it comes to choosing which food is the best fit for your family it is always wise to read the ingredient and nutrition labels found on the product and use those guidelines to help you in your choice. As individuals we have our own personal taste preferences which also generally factor into our food choices.