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What is Rice Pudding?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Rice pudding is a sweet treat made at a minimum with rice and sugar, although several other ingredients such as milk and spices are usually added as well. This dish originated in Asia, along with rice itself, and it is widely eaten all over the world today. Many cultures have their own version of rice pudding, and the dish is often served during holidays as a special treat. In Europe, for example, it is made with milk and cinnamon and served around Christmas.

The rice in rice pudding can be quite varied. Polished white rice is often used, but it may be short, medium, or long-grained. It is also possible to make this dish with brown rice, red rice, forbidden rice, or other rice varieties. Typically, the rice is cooked along with the rest of the pudding, although some recipes call for old rice.

Rice pudding.
Rice pudding.

Rice pudding can be cooked in water, but most people like to use milk or cream. In Asia, coconut milk may be used, since it is more readily available than cow milk, and vegans sometimes make this dish with soy, rice, or nut milks. Two parts milk and one part rice are combined in a pot with a sweetener such as sugar or maple syrup, and cooked together for 20 minutes or until the rice is done. Some cooks add eggs, turning their pudding into a rich custard.

Red rice, which can be used to make rice pudding.
Red rice, which can be used to make rice pudding.

Other ingredients can also be added to rice pudding, including fruit, spices like cinnamon, orange water, vanilla, lavender, lemon zest, nuts, and so forth. Some ingredients may be added at the beginning of the cooking process so that they percolate through the whole dish, while others may be added in at the very end so that they are not spoiled; this pudding can also be topped with fresh fruit, a sprinkle of nutmeg, or some other garnish.

Rice pudding can be made with many types of rice, including forbidden rice.
Rice pudding can be made with many types of rice, including forbidden rice.

Depending on the culture, rice pudding can be served hot or cold. Some people greatly enjoy eating it cold as a snack, especially when it is the rich custard style, while other people prefer it hot, served with whipped cream or ice cream to make it richer. Rice pudding with fresh fruit is often on offer in Asia as a refreshing treat, and it can also make an interesting breakfast food, for people who like to start the day with sweet food.

Because rice pudding is soft and easy to eat, it is sometimes used to tempt invalids into eating. It can also be a useful food to have on hand after oral surgery.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon967029

None of those sound even vaguely similar to rice pudding as I know it!

anon925977

Some of the best rice pudding I ever had came from a Greek restaurant, so if you're ever dining at a Mediterranean style establishment, be sure to ask for their version of rice pudding. The Indian rice pudding I've had tended to be a mixture of basmati rice and sweetened milk, but the Greek version was more of a cooked custard with rice instead of tapioca mixed into it.

mendocino

Here is a variation of rice pudding that i make and really enjoy. First I boil rice in milk, adding some salt to it. When done, and while rice is cooling I separate 2 eggs and whip the egg whites. Butter is mixed with sugar first than the 2 egg yolks are added. To the mixture I add zest of 1 lemon.

When that is done I like to add cottage cheese to the cooled rice mixture, followed by the butter, sugar, egg yolk mixture. Adding raisins at this point adds another sweet tasting ingredient. At the end egg whites are folded into the mixture.

The whole sweet concoction is poured into a buttered pan and baked for about 30 minutes until the top is golden brown.

When done I sprinkle some vanilla sugar over the top, cut it in squares and enjoy.

This is so good, particularly for those who have a sweet tooth and also like rice.

This can be eaten just like that, or a little raspberry syrup, or any other syrup can be poured over it.

I have tried to freeze it, and it tasted just as good, without losing any texture.

For calorie conscious the recipe can be adjusted with more or less butter, sugar, and low fat milk and cottage cheese.

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    • Rice pudding.
      By: JJAVA
      Rice pudding.
    • Red rice, which can be used to make rice pudding.
      By: IngridHS
      Red rice, which can be used to make rice pudding.
    • Rice pudding can be made with many types of rice, including forbidden rice.
      By: Marek
      Rice pudding can be made with many types of rice, including forbidden rice.
    • Rice pudding is often garnished with a sprinkle of nutmeg.
      By: Thomas Francois
      Rice pudding is often garnished with a sprinkle of nutmeg.
    • Polished white rice is often used in rice pudding.
      By: Vadim Balantsev
      Polished white rice is often used in rice pudding.
    • Brown rice can be used to make rice pudding.
      By: Ekaterina Garyuk
      Brown rice can be used to make rice pudding.
    • Milk thickens rice pudding, adding richness to the flavor.
      By: Elenathewise
      Milk thickens rice pudding, adding richness to the flavor.
    • Lavender is sometimes added to rice puddding.
      By: Elena Moiseeva
      Lavender is sometimes added to rice puddding.
    • Rice pudding originated in Asia, but is now eaten all over the world.
      By: Ekler
      Rice pudding originated in Asia, but is now eaten all over the world.