Rice is Nice

I was in desperate need of some comfort food tonight and something about Moosewood’s rice pudding recipe was calling to me. And all I can say is I am so glad I decided to follow my instinct and cook up a pot because oh my goodness is it delish!

            While I’m 100% positive I’ve eaten rice pudding before, I didn’t really have a decent grasp of what it was or what went into making it. Really, you just cook rice in milk instead of water and then add some sugar/sweetening agents and whatever other mix-ins you like. Moosewood recommends vanilla extract and cinnamon for sure and possibly a little nutmeg, dried fruit, and nuts. I couldn’t find any vanilla so I just went for the cinnamon and honestly I really didn’t feel like I was missing out. It was really good and sweet yet flavorful enough with just the spice. I think it would be also be really good with some dried cranberries.

            The milk and rice didn’t quite thicken up as much as I was expecting, even though I left it on the stove for nearly 2 hours (simmering). I’m hoping a night in the fridge will help that though. You’re meant to eat the pudding room temperature or cold anyway, so the overnight chill will only help the flavor. I really only had a couple tastes as it was cooling on the stove anyway. I loved every bite, but had to limit myself because of the richness and creaminess. The dairy in this dish could be my downfall.

            Perhaps my favorite part of this dessert was when I had my first taste, before even adding in the sugar and cinnamon. I was mostly just curious of what the dish looked like and was thrilled to discover when I lifted the lid, that it looked just like an old favorite treat of mine, Risgrøt. Risgrøt is a Norwegian porridge-y type dish that is very popular especially around Christmas time. You eat it hot, with cinnamon and butter and there’s an old wives’ tale that if you leave a bowl out on your porch on Christmas Eve, a friendly elf will come and eat it and then do nice things for you and help take care of our house. If you don’t leave out a bowl, the elf—in Norway, they’re called “nisse”—would do mischievous things instead of taking care of you. It’s now adapted into a tradition similar to leaving cookies out for Santa Claus.
I was obsessed with this dish when my family lived in Norway and I specifically remember requesting it on my birthday. So my comfort food desires were absolutely met and fulfilled by Moosewood’s rice pudding.