Vanilla Rice Pudding

Ingredients

• 2 cups whole milk
• 1 cup heavy cream, divided
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup sushi or Arborio rice
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, King Arthur Pure Vanilla Extract preferred
• 1/2 teaspoon Vanilla Bean Crush or King Arthur Pure Vanilla Plus
• pinch of salt

Directions

1. Place the milk, 3/4 cup cream, sugar, rice, and King Arthur Pure Vanilla Extract in a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat.
2. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring frequently, for 30 to 40 minutes, until thickened. This is very similar to cooking risotto.
3. Test the rice to ensure it’s done. You want a firm bite, but no crunchy center to the kernel.
4. Remove the pudding from the heat, and stir in the remaining 1/4 cup cream and the Vanilla Bean Crush or Pure Vanilla Plus, along with a pinch of salt.
5. Serve warm; or refrigerate, well covered, and serve chilled. Sprinkle with a touch of ground cinnamon, if desired.

Yield: about 2 cups pudding.