Creamy, regal yet so familiar – you’ll find yourself reaching for this comforting dessert any time of day from brunch to a late-night escape.
Are you feeling royal today? Why not treat yourself to a nice, sweet serving of rice pudding? Rice pudding can be dated back centuries to the days of nobility when rice wasn’t just a standard kitchen ingredient – but an import that demonstrated status and wealth. I envision myself on a purple throne encrusted in jewels asking my butler to prepare me a heaping bowl of the comforting dessert. Luckily, your servant will only have to deal with seven ingredients from the cupboard, and won’t have to cross the globe to scour for its components anymore.
If you’re feeling more humble, you’ll appreciate that after the 18th century, rice became much more affordable and accessible to the masses making the once stately rice pudding more down-to-earth. Today’s modern version inspires kindergarten memories for me as I would anxiously open a lunchbox for the day on the playground. The smell of hot plastic slides, steel swings and piles of mulch to play in just goes hand-in-hand with this childhood treat. Something about having the little container of pudding made a long day of multiplication tables almost worth it. What’s even better is the homemade version here is bound to put the little plastic container to shame.
Using simple steps, this dish can be served solo with fruit or as part of a whole meal, in your lunchbox or at your breakfast table – you’ll find comfort in the versatility and resourcefulness of this pudding. The addition of coconut adds a tropical vibe to this creamy, sweet and recognizable dish. You may soon find yourself making this your own little lunchtime vacation on the regular! The best part of rice pudding is not only the simplicity of its design but the affordability of its cost per serving – a dish worth keeping in your fridge for the family.
Hungry for more ways to bring school-yard taste to your adult life? Try our Easy Homemade Brownies and be the envy of the playground or, well, boardroom. You won’t want to trade your dessert. Looking to bag a whole lunch? Add a grown-up sandwich like either our Perfect Grilled Cheese or Garlic Bacon Chicken Wrap, but even the kids will dig it!
Why Wash Your Rice?
From fried rice to rice pudding, dishes that call for the grain deserve the extra time to be rinsed clean, but why bother? There’s a good reason for this step, as washing your rice helps keep the dish from sticking together. Do you hate the way overly cooked and mushy rice tastes? Yep, rinsing helps with that as well – making sure the particles are cleaned of excess starch that will keep everything separated to your liking. When washing, you’ll want to give enough time for the water to run clear and not cloudy – your dish will thank you later for the extra TLC!
FAQs & Tips
How to Make Ahead and Store
Coconut rice pudding can be made and stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Optionally, you can also freeze your dish for up to 3 months in the freezer. When ready to eat, simply move to the fridge and your rice pudding will be ready to eat again in 24 hours or you can defrost it in the microwave on low until it has reached your ideal temp.
Can I Add In Another Fruit?
Absolutely! You can get creative with your rice pudding and integrate pineapple, fresh blueberries or strawberries, or omit them altogether.
How Do I Keep a Nice Texture to My Rice Pudding?
In addition to making sure your rice is well rinsed, you will want to avoid rapidly heating your dish in the beginning (so as to not burn the bottom) and then reducing the heat to low, stirring often for the same reason. Stirring gently and maintaining a nice balance between checking on your rice every 5 minutes or so will help you achieve your ideal result.
Serving Suggestions
Apart from your lunch bag, you can also make rice pudding the finale to your beautiful brunch set-up. When making your full spread you can serve some Delicious Over-Hard Eggs, Home Fries and a plate of Grilled Bacon – now this sounds like giving your morning the royal treatment. You can also turn your kitchen into a bakery and offer your family or guests a variety of sweet options with your rice pudding including French Toast Casserole or Baked Oatmeal. Sounds like all that’s missing is a nice cup of coffee and some good conversation.
Coconut Rice Pudding
Ingredients Â
- 3/4 cup uncooked short-grain white rice
- 1 can 13.5 ounces coconut milk
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Cinnamon for garnish optional
InstructionsÂ
- Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear.
- In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed rice, coconut milk, whole milk, sugar, and salt.
- Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat, then reduce the heat to low.
- Simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the rice is tender and the mixture has thickened to a pudding consistency, about 35-40 minutes.
- Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
- Pour the pudding into a serving dish or individual bowls.
- Allow to cool slightly, then cover and refrigerate to chill thoroughly.
- Serve chilled, garnished with a sprinkle of cinnamon if desired.
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