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Old-Fashioned Rice Custard

Old-Fashioned Rice Custard
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Old-Fashioned Rice Custard is a timeless, comforting dessert featuring creamy milk and tender rice combined with egg yolks and vanilla to create a velvety, gently sweet custard. Perfect served warm or chilled, this cherished recipe uses simple pantry ingredients to deliver nostalgic flavors and smooth texture, easily customizable with spices, fruits, or nuts.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 4 cups whole milk
  • 1 cup short-grain rice
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 4 large egg yolks
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Optional Variations & Garnishes

  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon or nutmeg (for spiced version)
  • 1/2 cup fresh or dried fruits (raisins, berries, mango)
  • Milk alternatives: almond, coconut, or oat milk (1:1 substitution)
  • Natural sweeteners: honey or maple syrup (to taste, as low-sugar option)
  • Toasted nuts: almonds, pistachios, or walnuts (for topping)

Instructions

  1. Preparing the Rice: Rinse the rice thoroughly under cold water to remove excess starch. In a heavy-bottomed pot, combine the rinsed rice with the milk and cook over low heat. Stir frequently to prevent sticking and cook gently until the rice becomes tender and the mixture starts to thicken gently.
  2. Mixing the Custard Base: In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, sugar, vanilla extract, and salt until the mixture is smooth and pale in color, ensuring the sugar is mostly dissolved.
  3. Combining Rice and Custard: Gradually temper the egg yolk mixture by slowly adding a few spoonfuls of the warm rice and milk mixture while stirring continuously to avoid curdling. Once tempered, return the entire mixture back into the pot with the remaining rice and milk.
  4. Cooking the Custard: Cook the combined mixture on low heat, stirring constantly and gently to prevent burning or scrambling, until the custard thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon. This should take about 5 to 10 minutes.
  5. Cooling and Serving: Remove the pot from heat and transfer the custard into serving dishes. Serve warm for a comforting dessert or chill in the refrigerator to enjoy cold. Garnish as desired with cinnamon, nutmeg, toasted nuts, or fresh fruit.

Notes

  • Patience is Key: Stir slowly and consistently to prevent the custard from sticking or burning at the bottom.
  • Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh eggs and high-quality milk significantly improve flavor and texture.
  • Temperature Control: Cook on low to medium heat to avoid scrambling the eggs.
  • Rice Selection: Opt for short or medium-grain rice, which releases starch to create that creamy texture.
  • Gradual Egg Incorporation: Temper eggs properly with warm mixture before combining to maintain smooth custard.
  • Leftover rice can be used, but freshly cooked rice often yields a creamier custard.
  • Custard can be stored refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen up to one month (thaw overnight in the fridge).
  • Reheat gently on low heat or in microwave, stirring frequently to maintain smooth texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: rice custard, old-fashioned dessert, creamy rice pudding, gluten free dessert, comforting dessert, traditional custard

Find it online: https://eazyummy.com/old-fashioned-rice-custard/