Rice Pudding with Dates
By: Giangi Townsend
Published: Sunday, February 9, 2020 - 11:24am

Ingredients




3 cups whole milk
2 cups heavy whipping cream
1/3 cup arborio rice
1/2 vanilla bean, split and grains removed
3 large eggs, beaten
3 tablespoons corn starch
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup chopped dates
1 tablespoon chopped dates

Preparation

1 In a large 3-quart saucepan, heat the milk and heavy whipping cream, vanilla bean pod and all the internal grain, over medium heat and bring to a small boil. Stir in the rice, reduce the heat and simmer for 30 minutes. 2 Stir occasionally and leave uncovered. Pick up the bean pod, scrape it over the milk with the back of a knife to remove the last vanilla grains and natural oils from the bean. Discard after all the natural juices are added to the milk. 3 In a small bowl, whisk the eggs, cornstarch, salt, and sugar until smooth. Add a ¼ cup of the hot rice milk to the egg mixture bowl slowly stirring. Whisk the rice mixture while you slowly pour in the tempered egg mixture, and then simmer, stirring constantly, until the pudding is slightly thickened. Add ½ cup chopped dates. 4 Serve the pudding warm in small individual bowls topped the chopped dates or serve chilled. To chill it, place waxed paper or plastic wrap directly against the surface of the warm pudding to prevent the formation of the top skin.

About

Rice pudding is one of the first desserts I have ever made. Actually my grandmother made it for me when I was very young and it has been a love affair since. She made it simple with milk, sugar, and rice.  While growing up in Paris my dad made it a few times and from that point forward, I have played with the flavors to make it mine.
Comfort food. When you taste a spoonful of this delicious dessert from the pan you will understand why.  It goes down so easily. However, you can also serve it chilled and it is a fun pick me up snack between school, activities, and homework.
The pudding can be made lighter by substituting the heavy cream with whole milk or even skim milk.