Tropical Rice Pudding

chia's Note:

originally inspired by the contest, this was rejected because i added some coconut milk. however this is so good that i'm posting anyway. this may be served warm or cold.

• Total Time: 1 hrs 30 mins
• Prep Time: 30 mins
• Cook Time: 1 hrs

Ingredients:

Servings: 6

• ¼ cup light rum
• ¼ cup currants or ¼ cup raisins
• 1 ½ cups cooked white rice
• 3 cups milk
• ½ cup coconut milk
• 1⁄3; cup turbinado sugar
• ¼ cup chopped crystallized ginger
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 cup fresh mango , diced
• 1 cup fresh papaya , diced
• ½ cup shredded coconut , toasted

Directions:

1. in a small bowl add currants and rum, set aside for 30 minutes.
2. mix cooked rice with milks, sugar, ginger and salt in a large saucepan.
3. bring to boil, lower to simmer, stir in currants.
4. simmer for 40 minutes until thickened.
5. mix in 1/2 c diced mango and 1/2 c diced papaya.
6. divide into serving cups, garnish with remaining diced fruit and top with toasted coconut.

Reviews

[KrabKokonas]

This is a spectacular dessert. All the ingredients complement each other for a rich, tropical dessert. I usually don't like alcohol in my sweets, but the final product had just a little hint of rum that set off the pudding perfectly. I had to resort to using canned mangos as fresh mango is out of season right now, but the taste was still excellent. I recommend using red papaya rather than the orange as the taste is sweeter and it adds some great colour to the dessert. The crystallized ginger was a fantastic addition - everyone raved about it. I felt like the pudding was a bit too sweet, but my husband (a rice pudding officianado from way back) said that it was perfect. The only change I would make to this recipe would be to reduce the milk by a half a cup and add another half cup of coconut milk as I couldn't taste the coconut milk at all (though it did contribute to a lovely richness).

[Sydney Mike]

I was totally curious about this pudding! Rice pudding for me has always been plain, or has had raisins and/or cinnamon in it, but this recipe takes it to a whole different level, & it's great! I had a hard time finding fresh mango, but finally did at the local Farmers' Market. And, it took me a bit to find out that turbinado is what I know as 'sugar in the raw!' Anyway, I did cut back on the rum a little, but still, the final product is [actually WAS, 'cause it's all gone already!] a really great tasting tropical delight! Thanks for posting this very nice recipe!