Now that fall is officially here and the air is cool and crisp outside, inside I’m thinking more and more about comfort foods. Is there anything more comforting then a bowl of old fashioned rice pudding? It’s simple, straight forward, none pretentious and quite economical!
There are so many variations using different ingredients such as butter, egg yolks and cream. Different techniques in cooking it, baked, stove top, and even some crock pot recipes. Fresh fruit, dried fruit, nuts, raisins, coconut, and some even spiked with liqueur, just to name a few.
In my house it’s golden raisins with cinnamon and vanilla, although I have been known to spike it with some Amaretto at times, (so good!) I don’t use cream or egg yolks or butter, because frankly we don’t need it, and believe me you won’t miss it.
If you want to fancy it up you can make or buy some dried apples and stick them into the rice pudding for a pretty presentation, I’ve done that a couple of times but normally I just eat it as is, the flavors are “fancy” all on it’s own.
I had so much success with oven drying tomatoes, that I thought I’d give it a try with some apples and pears. It took a lot less time and the result was great, and even 2 weeks later they were still moist and chewy! Make sure to store them in an airtight container.
I used a mandolin for slicing my up my fruit which I then placed single layer on a baking sheet topped with parchment paper. They took about 3 hours to dry in a 225 F oven. I sprinkled cinnamon sugar on mine before baking, but you don’t have to.
Scenes from a pumpkin farm we went to over the weekend, don’t you just love fall, it’s my favorite season.
- 5 cups whole milk
- 1/ 2 heaping cup of arborio rice
- ½ cup sugar
- pinch of salt
- ½ golden raisins
- 2 teaspoons good vanilla
- optional cinnamon or a drizzle of amaretto liquor
- Combine the milk, sugar and salt in a sauce pan on medium heat, when it reaches a boil add the rice, stir and reduce to a slow simmer.
- You need to stir the rice mixture frequently and total time could take up to an hour.
- When you see it thicken up nicely like a loose pudding it's finished.
- Remove pan from heat add the raisins and vanilla.
- Let it cool down, then cover the top of the mixture with plastic wrap and refrigerate til cool.
- You can sprinkle with cinnamon or omit the cinnamon and spoon some amaretto liquor on top.
- I highly suggest you double the recipe, you'll be glad you did!
- Enjoy!
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I’m Marie, a wife, mother, mother-in-law, and gramma of two beautiful girls. My passion is food, clear and simple but especially Italian food, hence the name of my blog, Proud Italian Cook. I want you to feel right at home here so grab a cup of coffee, I’ll get the pastries, take a look around and enjoy your visit! {
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I made this today with 2% milk and a dash of nutmeg. I have tried so many different rice pudding recipes, this is the best! It thickened up a bit as it cooled and remained very creamy. Thanks for sharing this.
I am a rice pudding ADDICT! I like the 2% milk and no eggs–sounds like way less fat than my usual rice pudding.
Thanks for sharing–this is a must make recipe.
never made it but I love to eat it. I might have to try this Marie… can you get the rice anywhere?
Fall is my favorite season too. I oven dried apples last month and couldnt stop snacking on them. I always love me some rice pudding.Very underappraciated.
I love a good rice pudding & this is as good as it gets. Love the moreish fruit slices too… wow!
Yum! Rice pudding is the ultimate winter comfort food… I love how easy it is to make!
I am so excited to try this recipe. I haven’t had rice pudding since I was a kid and I have been seriously thinking about it lately! I just recently came across your blog and am hooked!
I love your passion. . .in fact, I’m inspired by it.
Arborio rice is wonderful for rice pudding! Thise apple chips look mighty-fine too!
Rice pudding is one of my favorite desserts! I have yet to make it with Arborio rice–I’m going to try it.
I also dehydrate foods–I have chiles in the machine right now, but apples and pears are next 🙂
Mmmmmm this is beautiful and we know how delicious this dish is, it is my favorite dish from childhood
In greece we find this is Risogalo. I love the deco you put.
Love your lower cholesterol version Marie. Sounds delicious. And love the presentation too.
LL
Oh Marie-how you pull at my heart strings! My mother would make rice pudding a lot and she would use regular raisins, but the memories you’ve brought back for me with you lovely Fall dish are plentiful. Thank you so much 🙂
Yes, I am in the fall mode, too, Marie. Love that rice pudding with the dried apples and pears.
That is truly comfort food, Marie. You prepare it just the way my mom did. Yes, I love fall too.
Looking at your photos is getting me in the fall spirit – I have been so sad about summer ending. Thanks and your pudding looks so very good!
I’m weak in the knees – love rice pudding! And I enjoyed you fall photos, Marie!
Hi Marie!
Rice pudding is my daughter’s favorite comfort food. I like the sound of your low fat version.
I love the look of your dried fruit! That’s a nice way to prolong thier goodness a liitle longer!
Oh my goodness.. this all looks so awesome! I have to try apples and pears dried in the oven!! Amazing! 🙂
xoxo
that’s a great presentation with the home-made fruit crisp.
Now your talking!!!
My husband loves rice pudding. I think I’ll surprise him with a big bowl tonight.
Mimi
I’ve never had rice pudding before but it does sound really comforting for the cooler weather. I’ll be bookmarking this for the future!
I can’t get my husband to “like” rice pudding. That won’t stop me from making this beautiful version. I adore rice pudding, but I never thought to dry amaretto! Love it! As for your dried fruits, they’re beautiful. I’ll seriously have to try it with apples. What a healthy and pretty snack!
PS: You can make your own pumpkin puree from those lovely pumpkins. I miss summer temps for outdoor swimming, but fall is my favorite time to bake and braise comfort food.
This is on my “to-do” list for the weekend. I like being comforted!
The dried fruit looks wonderful. Apples go great with rice pudding. Perfect recipe for the fall season!
I don’t know why I don’t make rice pudding more often – it’s so yummy and comforting as you said. Your photos look beautiful with those dried fruits you made. Your composition is worthy of a pro.
Marie,
I LOVE rice pudding with raisins.
Mine always gets too hard the fridge.
I will try your recipe, don’t know what I’ve been doing wrong all these years.
I have only made rice pudding with long grain rice. I have a box of aborio that is begging for this recipe.
Che bello! This looks perfect for cuddling up in front of the fire. And it’s made from stuff that I always have in my house. No need to go out–what’s better than that? THANKS.
I love making arborio risotto, but in the past I have sneaked in a spoon or so cream…I will have to repent… I am going to try my hand at the apples and pears….looks so healthy and yummee!!!