Test Kitchen: Stovetop Rice Pudding
Jay Patruno, Junior Dietetics Student, SAR ’18
1. There is in fact a difference between long-grain and short-grain rice when cooking
When making this recipe make sure you purchase and cook the short-grain brown rice. The long-grain brown rice cooks less in the amount of time in the recipe, leaving you with some crunchy rice pudding.
2. It could function as a breakfast option
Jenn Culbert; MS, RD, LDN; was our special guest from the Sargent Choice Nutrition Center this week. She shared how she has eaten this dish as a breakfast. If you like hot cereal (or even cold), rice pudding can function like oatmeal or cream of rice. In fact, any grain would work in this manner.
3. It’s a good way to make use of leftovers
Jenn shared her secret of utilizing excess leftover rice to make a quick dessert (or breakfast). Place cooked rice in a saucepan, add enough milk of choice to cover, bring it to a simmer, and then keep the heat low until most of the liquid is gone. At this point add whatever sweeteners and spices you like (honey, raisins, cinnamon, etc.) In about twenty minutes you will have rice pudding!
4. It is easy to make this healthy dish very decadent
Every once in awhile it is okay to splurge a bit. While we topped it with a little cinnamon and fresh strawberries, you could certainly add a scoop of French vanilla ice cream while it’s still warm before adding berries. Nuts and granola are also delicious toppings.
5. Rice pudding can even satisfy cultural references
This recipe can be made with white rice, though white rice doesn’t have the same benefits of a whole grain (fiber, B-vitamins, etc.), but it still satisfies the palate of those who are more used to a white rice based diet. We were graced by the presence of both CELOP students from China and Humphrey graduate students from Panama and Turkey. The Chinese students asked if white rice would work since they do prefer it and they were pleased to find out this tasty treat can be culturally relevant.
6. It’s a crowd-pleaser!
The recipe is easy to double as long as ratios are kept and could be used for one-meal evenings or for a holiday feast with friends and family.