Creamy Rice Pudding
The holiday season can remind us of our favorite yummy desserts and give us something to look forward to each year. This recipe comes to mind as I reflect on my grandmother’s home-made rice pudding. After many years of enjoying this treat a few times a year, I discovered it is very similar to the Mexican Arroz con Leche. This pudding is simple to make but is a great treat for anyone who loves the cinnamon and nutmeg flavors combined with a smooth, creamy textured baked pudding. The chilly weather of fall and winter months could use this warm and sweet addition at the table. The golden raisins can be swapped out for another dried fruit like diced prunes or cranberries. The golden color gives these raisins more flavonoids (antioxidant properties) than the purple tinted ones. Have fun making this recipe your own!
Ingredients:
2 cups cooked rice (medium grain)
1 ¾ cup diluted sweetened condensed milk (50:50)
3 eggs
½ cup sugar
1/8 tsp salt
¼ cup butter or margarine
½ - ¾ cup of golden raisins
½ teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon nutmeg
1 tsp vanilla extract
Pistachios and cinnamon sticks for garnish
Instructions:
Combine the raisins and rice in a baking pan or casserole dish sprayed with avocado oil cooking spray.
Place the milk and butter in a saucepan on the stove and heat on warm.
Next, whisk the eggs with a hand mixer in a separate bowl, then add the eggs, sugar, and salt into the milk. Simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in the vanilla extract, nutmeg, and cinnamon.
Pour the mixture over the rice and raisins in the pan.
Bake uncovered on 350° for about an hour. When the pudding is no longer runny in the middle of the pan, it is ready to remove from the oven. Serve warm. Garnish each serving with a few pistachios and a cinnamon stick if desired. Serves 6-8.
Written By: Arlissa Sanders-Wilson
Arlissa Sanders-Wilson is a Dietetic Intern with Andrews University. She began her nutrition education journey at Texas Woman's University as a Post Baccalaureate student, then decided to transfer into the Master's program at the University of Alabama. She graduated with the MSCHN degree in August of 2023.