Cinnamon-Raisin Rice Pudding - CC

By á-48655

When it comes to simple-yet-sublime desserts, it doesn’t get much better than rice pudding. Tasting of little more than sweet milk and good vanilla, the pudding has a short ingredient list, but we found that the ratio was key. In the end, 6 cups of milk to 1/2 cup of long-grain white rice (its texture proved better than that of short-grain) was just right, but the secret was reserving 1/2 cup of the milk and stirring it in right before serving, adjusting the texture to the perfect creamy, thick—but not stodgy—consistency.

You can use 2 percent low-fat milk here (the consistency will be looser) but not skim.

Ingredients

• 6 cups whole milk
• 1/2 cup (3 1/2 ounces) sugar
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup long-grain white rice
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup raisins
• 1/3 cup water

Preparation

Step 1

1. Combine 5 1/2 cups milk, sugar, cinnamon stick, and salt in large saucepan and bring to boil over medium-high heat.

2. Stir in rice and reduce heat to low. Cook, adjusting heat to maintain gentle simmer and stirring occasionally to prevent scorching, until rice is soft and pudding has thickened to consistency of yogurt, 50 to 60 minutes. Stir in vanilla.

3. Meanwhile, combine raisins and water in bowl; cover and microwave for 1 minute. Let sit until softened, about 5 minutes; drain.

4. Transfer pudding to large bowl, stir in raisins, and let cool completely, about 2 hours, or let cool and refrigerate until cold, about 2 hours longer. Discard cinnamon stick. Just before serving, stir in remaining 1/2 cup milk.