Perfect Dairy Free Rice Pudding

Submitted by rsarahl

"My dad loves rice pudding, but has heart disease and couldn't have much of his old favorite until we crafted this heart healthy, cholesterol free version by substituting almond milk for the dairy and eggs in the traditional recipe. While we've come to love the slightly sweet and nutty flavor that arborio rice imparts on this dish, we have had lovely results with jasmine rice and basmati rice as well. Born out of a dietary need, this rice pudding is as comforting and creamy as more traditional versions... but don't take my word for it --- try it yourself! Prep time reflects the time it takes to prepare the dish before it needs to be refrigerated. Cook time reflects the time this dish should be allowed to rest in the refrigerator before serving."

 

• Ready In: 6hrs 45mins
• Ingredients: 5
• Serves: 6

ingredients

• 6 ounces slivered almonds
• 1⁄2 cup rice, uncooked
• 1⁄3 cup honey (grade A, amber) or 1/3 cup pure maple syrup (grade A, amber)
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract or 1 vanilla bean

directions

1. Blanch the almonds in a pan of rapidly boiling water, then strain and allow to dry and cool.
2. Preheat oven to 350°F.
3. Prepare a sheet pan with parchment paper.
4. Spread the blanched almonds on the parchment.
5. Bake almonds for approximately 10 minutes or until golden and aromatic.
6. Set pan aside to cool.
7. Add the salt to 1 cup of water in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil.
8. Add rice to the saucepan, cover and reduce the heat to low.
9. Simmer rice, covered, for 15-20 minutes until water is absorbed and rice is plumped.
10. In a food processor fitted with the regular blade, pulse 5 oz (1 1/4 cups) of the toasted almonds into a coarse powder.
11. Add 3 cups of warm water to the food processor and blend until the almonds and water are incorporated and"milky"; about 5 minutes.
12. Note: this can be done in a blender instead of a food processor, though the almonds will not be quite as fine.
13. Strain the almond milk in a fine mesh sieve, cheesecloth lined sieve or through a clean paper coffee filter into a bowl; when most of the liquid has gone through, squeeze or press the almond grits to extract as much of the remaining liquid as possible.
14. Pour almond milk into the saucepan with the cooked rice.
15. Add vanilla extract or scrape the seeds from the vanilla bean into the rice mixture.
16. Add honey and stir the mixture.
17. Increase heat to medium to return rice mixture to a simmer and stir every few minutes, uncovered for 10-15 minutes until the mixture is slightly thickened.
18. Remove pan from heat and cool before transferring pudding to a bowl.
19. Cover bowl and refrigerate 6 hours or overnight to allow flavors to develop and to allow the almond milk base to thicken to a nice consistency.
20. Spoon into 6 dessert bowls and serve with a dollop of dairy free whipped topping and or fresh seasonal fruit.

Reviews

[UmmBinat]

4 1/2 stars. Yum this is good. DH liked it a lot too. I used left over cooked rice and store bought sliced blanched almonds which made it faster to make and the honey option. I used alcohol-free vanilla extract for the vanilla. It doesnt say what to do with the reserved almonds so I put them on top before serving. I would make this again with a pinch of salt.