Rice for Dessert

Rice is not a traditional dessert dish in my home. But it's hard to argue with a sweet, creamy, steaming bowl of good rice pudding. Perhaps it is childhood memories of winter in Minnesota that has me associating this dish with a satisfied, comfortably full belly. The smell of sweet milk and cinnamon and that unique texture of the rice on my tongue brings back memories of a warm kitchen on a cold Minnesota winter day, the wind howling outside while the warm coziness of a sweet smelling kitchen kept us warm and snug. Unless you have experienced the below zero temperatures that is part of what winter in Minnesota means, it's hard to truly appreciate the warm snugness of a truly cozy kitchen. When winter howls cold and fierce outside your door, I hope one of these recipes can keep you warm and snug with the ones you love.

Creamy Rice Pudding

2 cups cooked rice

1/3 cup raisins

2 1/2 cups milk, divided

1/3 cup sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 tablespoons butter

2 eggs, beaten

In a large saucepan, mix together the rice, raisins, salt and 2 1/4 cups milk. Cook over medium heat for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the butter, sugar, eggs and 1/4 cup milk to the pudding mixture. Heat for an additional 2 to 3 minutes, stirring constantly, or until the mixture thickens to pudding consistency. Remove from heat and add in the vanilla extract. Put in serving dishes and sprinkle the top with cinnamon. Serves 6.

Pineapple Rice Pudding

3 cups rice

3 cups milk

1/4 cup sugar

1 tablespoon butter

1 can (15 1/4 ounces) crushed pineapple

3 eggs, separated

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 cup flaked coconut

In a large saucepan, mix together the rice, milk, sugar and butter. Stirring occasionally, cook over medium heat for 25 minutes or until the mixture is thick. In a small bowl, beat the egg yolks and add some of the rice mixture into the yolks. Add the yolk mixture to the rice mixture and cook for 2 minutes longer. Remove from heat and blend in the pineapple and cinnamon. Let the mixture cool. Beat the egg whites until they are stiff and then add them to the rice mixture. Put the mixture into a greased 8- or 9-inch square baking pan. Sprinkle the coconut on top of the mixture and bake in a 325 degree oven for 25 minutes. Serves 6 to 8.