Grown-Up Rice Pudding

I was never much of a rice pudding fan myself, until I met my husband. his mother made this awesome rice pudding. Your classic white rice loaded with whole milk with white sugar. but wait, you can still have your rice pudding and eat it too...Trust Me!!

You know me, I am trying new recipes all the time. And my new favorite cookbook is 'How It All Vegan.' I had seen this book in the book store over a year ago and I connected with it somehow. I know, come on, how can you connect with an inanimate object. but I tell you this book spoke to me. Not literally mind you, but you know what I am talking about.

Fast forward to holiday season 2008 and what lands into my daughters pile of gifts but this lovely book. And to date we both use it constantly. Her mostly for desserts, me for a plethora of dishes. But last night I had a sweet tooth and I refuse to purchase junk from the store. That does not mean I do not want to satisfy my sweet tooth. So I cracked open the book and found rice Pudding.

I usually have at least 2-3 types of rice on hand. But last night I wanted to use my very aromatic brown jasmine rice. Oh my stars. You know how many a cooks will call a mac-n-cheese a grown up version of thee old comfort food? Well put your minds in that frame of thinking. for this one is sweet, delicious, yet somehow satisfying without all the guilt of your moms rice pudding.

So get all your ingredients lined up and let the cooking begin.

2-3 cups soy milk (we used 2 cups of plain almond and it came out just fine)
2 cups cooked rice (we used brown jasmine rice and it was great)
1&1/2 t cinnamon
1 T vanilla extract
1 cup of raisins
1/2 cup slivered almonds
1/4 cup sweetener ( we used raw sugar)
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In a medium saucepan, add the milk, cooked rice, cinnamon, vanilla, raisin, almonds, and sweetener and bring to a boil (we got it to a soft boil, not full rolling boil). Reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes until pudding thickens to desired consistency, stirring occasionally. Makes 2 or more servings.

This recipe filled 4 small dessert bowls and I still could easily share a bowl with my husband. And he loved it. He did say he thought it had too many almonds, but that the taste still came through wonderfully and he wants me to make it again....like he had to ask. Pffft!