Stovetop Rice Pudding

This must be one of the easiest economical desserts that I now make on irregular basis. Anytime I have leftover rice from main meal and I don’t feel like doing a stir fry this recipe comes in handy. And yes, it is one of Marjo’s favorite.

• 2 cups cooked rice
• 2 cups milk, divided
• 2tsp. sugar
• 2/3 cups raisins
• 1/4 teaspoons salt (pinch)
• 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• Dash nutmeg or cinnamon, optional

Soak raisins in 1/2 cup of milk for 1/2 hour before starting to heat up milk.

Combine rice and 1-1/2 cups milk, sugar and salt in heavy saucepan. Mix well with whisk till sugar is dissolved and there are no lumps in the rice. When milk comes to simmer add remaining milk with raisins and bring back to simmer. Cook over low to medium heat for about 10 – 15 minutes. Stir occasionally until thick and creamy. Add vanilla and almond extract into rice mixture. Cook 2 minutes longer, stirring occasionally. Ladle into serving dishes and sprinkle with nutmeg or cinnamon. Can be served warm, room temperature or cold.

Note: I use only 2 tsp. of sugar because golden raisins I am using will give off quite a bit of sweetness to the pudding.

Makes four servings.