Rice Pudding Fans Will Love This Recipe

Frankly, I am not sure I believe my mom’s telling of this story. Fruit is so slippery, slimy, and it always smells and tastes like it’s rotting to me. My antipathy toward fruit is so strong that I won’t even taste something that looks like a fruit. This means that, for years, I refused to try rhubarb. It’s always mixed in with strawberries — and that is just not my thing.

But not too long ago, after painstakingly removing strawberry chunks and seeds from the corner crust of a strawberry rhubarb pie (I can’t resist a good pie crust), I discovered that rhubarb is not so bad. In fact, I kind of like it! I mean, it’s weird that a stalk tastes sweet and tart and delicious, but as long as it doesn’t remotely resemble a piece of fruit, I am happy.

This recipe comes from a colleague of mine and I like it because it can be enjoyed as breakfast, as a snack, or as a dessert. Black rice has a really lovely texture to it and the coconut milk adds the perfect nutty richness. And the best part? No fruit.

Black Rice Pudding With Rhubarb & Pistachios
Serves 4

Ingredients
For the rice pudding:
1/2 cup uncooked black (forbidden) rice
1 cup water
1/4 tsp kosher salt
1/2 cup coconut milk
1/4 cup sugar

For the rhubarb:
1 1/2 cups rhubarb, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
2 1/2 tbsp sugar
1 1/2 tsp lemon juice
2 tbsp water
2 tbsp roasted, salted, shelled pistachios, roughly chopped

Instructions
1. In a medium-sized pot with a tight-fitting lid, add rice, water, and salt. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer at the lowest heat, and cover. Allow to cook 20 minutes. Rice should be very al dente.

2. Add in the coconut milk and sugar and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cover. Cook for an additional 15 minutes. Most of the coconut milk should be absorbed and the rice should be completely cooked through, but still slightly al dente. Transfer to four ramekins or serving dishes and allow to cool.

3. While rice is cooking, prepare the rhubarb: Add lemon juice, sugar, and water to a small saucepan with a pinch of salt. Add rhubarb and toss to coat. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and reduce to a gentle simmer. Simmer for 5 to 7 minutes, or until rhubarb is very tender, tossing very gently every few minutes. Transfer rhubarb to a shallow bowl and allow to cool completely.

4.Top the rice pudding with rhubarb and pistachios and serve.

 

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