Rice Pudding All Around The World

When I was growing up Rice Pudding was a very common dessert in our home. My 3 brothers and sisters and I all thought we were really getting a special treat since it was so sweet and delicious. The truth about Rice Pudding is that it is a sweet dish that goes way back in time and all over the world. I think that this has to do with the fact that it is obviously cheap and rice is readily available almost everywhere and most importantly, it's simply sweet. We usually had our rice pudding served with left-over rice and cold milk mixed with a bit of brown sugar and raisins. My kids really love this simple dessert just like we did when we were little.

Most people cook up their rice pudding in a pot with milk and add spices and serve it hot. I thought this was funny since I always thought of it as a last minute treat made from leftover rice. Simply add milk, raisins, cinnamon and sometimes vanilla and Voila dessert is served. When it is chilly enough here in Phoenix, we just warm it up for a few minutes in a pot. I've discovered recently that Brown Jasmine Rice makes an excellent Rice Pudding. The leftover Jasmin rice holds up well and has a nice mild flavour. If you use long grain rice it will produce a pudding that is slightly drier and chewier than one made with a short grain rice. It's a personal preference I suppose.




The Way We Like It:

1 cup cooked  Brown Jasmine Rice
2 cups milk
1 teaspoon Tahitian Vanilla
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 tablespoon brown sugar

Mix, serve hot or cold and let the nostalgia comfort you



I did a little research and found it very interesting how many variations there were across the globe.



All Around The World:

In Italy ~  'Budino di Riso',  made with milk, eggs, raisins and orange peel


In Costa Rica ~  'Arroz con leche', made with milk, condensed milk, butter, sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, and vanilla


In Scandanavia and the United Kingdom Rice pudding is a long standing Christmas tradition. Made with dried fruits and nuts and spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, mace and vanilla.
 
In the colder countries;  Norway, Finland, Sweeden and Iceland Rice Pudding is a common dish served hot with butter and sugar to warm ones body and spirit.