Diner-style stovetop rice pudding

Rice pudding can be made with white, brown, or even wild rice, but it’s the short-grained variety that releases its starch, creating a thick, creamy texture. Pudding could be made simply using leftover rice from dinner, simmered with milk or cream and sweetened with sugar or honey – but here’s a classic diner-style rice pudding if you want to start from scratch.

Ingredients:

3/4 cup (185 ml) Arborio or other medium or short-grained rice
2 cups 2% milk or 500 ml half & half
1/3 cup (85 ml) sugar, or to taste
pinch salt
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 tsp (5 ml) vanilla
1/4-1/2 cup (60-125 ml) raisins (optional)

Directions:

1. In a medium saucepan, bring the rice and 1 1/2 cups of water to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover and cook for 20 minutes. Remove the lid and stir in half the milk, sugar and salt; cook, stirring, until the mixture is thick and most of the liquid has been absorbed.

2. Add the rest of the milk and the egg and bring to a simmer, cooking until the mixture is thick and creamy. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla and raisins, if you’re using them.

3. Cool completely and serve in individual cups or glasses.

Serves 6.

Per Serving (made with milk):

123 calories, 2.3 g fat (1.3 g saturated, 0.8 g monounsaturated, 0.2 g polyunsaturated), 37 mg cholesterol, 20.7 g carbohydrate, 4.3 g protein, 0.1 g fibre.

Originally published in ParentsCanada magazine, October 2012.