I can’t wait for you to meet Sarah. I have been trying to get her on here since summer! She has the most creative ideas and is a fantastic cook. AND we are related! Well, the wife of my cousin is related, right? Good enough. Meet Sarah…
Hi, I’m Sarah.
I live in Richmond, Virginia with my cute hubby who is way too nice to me and two daughters that love to boss me around. I enjoy making enormous messes in my kitchen and hate cleaning them up. I love to get out of the house and to habla the español. I spent my entire life hiding the fact that I’m a nerd but have finally embraced it. The word “mani-pedi” really makes me happy.
5 Fun Facts
I adore owls.
Long walks on the beach make my calves hurt.
I find the Trader Joe’s freezer section irresistible.
Since I started watching “The Bachelor” I can’t stop saying the word “amazing”.
I have more most embarrassing moments than anyone I know.
Superpower wanted:
Teleportation because I’m darn sick of flying with little munchkins.
Love = Rice Pudding
Men love rice pudding.It’s not a theory; it’s a law – a cold, hard, indisputable law.I don’t know why.Will I ever begin to understand the puzzling simplicity of the inner–workings of the male mind?Not a chance.I’m just grateful it’s so darn easy to make them happy – as easy as a little milk, rice and sugar.
Now if you’re like me, you’ll figure out a way to use this to your advantage.For me it comes in handy during diet time because it’s totally ok to make a treat for someone else, right?
Me:So… hon?Do you want me to make some brownies?
Him:Nah.(Keep in mind I’ve sworn him to help me diet no matter what.He’s keeping his promise.)
Me:How about some chocolate chip cookies?(This ought to do it.)
Him:Nah.I don’t really like chocolate. (I’m starting to scramble.)
Me:Rice Krispie Treats?(My voice growing ever so desperate.)
Him:Slight shake.(Was that a nod?Nope, definitely a shake.Time for the diet-busting silver bullet.)
Me:How about rice pudding?(I know I’ve got him.)
Him:Mmmmm, uhhhh… (resolve cracking) uhhhh… (I shrug and smile slyly) sure.
Woohoo!I shoot off the couch like a Roman candle.
Rice pudding is like vanilla ice cream. You can dress it up any way you want. Change up the spices/extracts/fruits/nuts and have a hundred different combinations. You can even make a pudding version of your favorite ice cream.
Here is my favorite combo: Cherry- Almond. I’m kind of obsessed with dried cherries right now. They’re a wonderful combination of just the right amount of sweetness and tart and the texture is plump like a fat little piggy. Mmmmmm… I just grabbed a handful. Addicted. Yes, addicted.
This recipe uses the natural starches in the rice to thicken the pudding. No need for eggs or cornstarch so the flavor stays pure. But you have to think ahead. Those little rice buddies need 2 hour to soften up before cooking. Then a quick boil then slow and low. Drop in your mix-ins and you’re on your way to marital bliss.
Yield: 8
Love = Rice Pudding
Ingredients
-
2 cups water
-
1 cup uncooked rice (I use Jasmine)
-
2 cans evaporated milk
-
1/2 tsp. salt
-
1 C sugar
-
1 Teaspoon almond extract
-
¼ cup dried cherries
-
¼ cup lightly toasted almonds (optional)
Instructions
- Combing rice and water in a large saucepan and let stand for 2 hours.
- Add 2 cans evaporated milk, 1/2 tsp salt, and extract. Bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat to med-low.
- Add sugar, dried cherries and simmer until rice is tender and mixture is smooth stirring occasionally. About 40 minutes.
- (Additional water may be needed if rice is not at the desired texture.)
- Sprinkle with nuts.
-
- Adaptations: Add your favorite extract, citrus peel and/or spice when you add the sugar. Add dried/frozen fruit and nuts after the temperature had been lowered.
-
- Our favorites include: lemon extract with dried cherries, vanilla and frozen raspberries, coffee extract with chocolate, orange extract with pumpkin pie spice, chocolate with toasted almonds and coconut.
Love = Rice Pudding
Ingredients
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup uncooked rice (I use Jasmine)
- 2 cans evaporated milk
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1 C sugar
- 1 Teaspoon almond extract
- ¼ cup dried cherries
- ¼ cup lightly toasted almonds (optional)
Instructions
- Combing rice and water in a large saucepan and let stand for 2 hours.
- Add 2 cans evaporated milk, 1/2 tsp salt, and extract. Bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat to med-low.
- Add sugar, dried cherries and simmer until rice is tender and mixture is smooth stirring occasionally. About 40 minutes.
- (Additional water may be needed if rice is not at the desired texture.)
- Sprinkle with nuts.
- Adaptations: Add your favorite extract, citrus peel and/or spice when you add the sugar. Add dried/frozen fruit and nuts after the temperature had been lowered.
- Our favorites include: lemon extract with dried cherries, vanilla and frozen raspberries, coffee extract with chocolate, orange extract with pumpkin pie spice, chocolate with toasted almonds and coconut.
Thanks Sarah!
She has a ton more great ideas and recipes to share with us, I am hoping she will become a regular around here!
Lindsey says
I love rice pudding! This recipe looks delicious, thank you for sharing!
Lindsey says
I love rice pudding! This recipe looks delicious, thank you for sharing!
Erin says
Yummy! I love rice pudding, too!
Dira says
You make it look soooooo good! I will be attempting to make it tonight for my man. 🙂 Thanks for sharing…BTW…I am addicted to recipes!!! (hehehe)
Vianki says
This sounds delicious! I made my own made up variation of this when I was a kid and loved it! Now I have a real recipe for a grown-up version! And I bet the hubbs would love it! I don’t think he’s ever had it.. I’ll have to make it as a surprise bribe… 🙂
Whitney says
Yummy! Does Sara have a blog we can check out or is this just a once in a lifetime visit?
stacy says
I LOVE rice pudding! I can’t wait to try this recipe! Thank you!
Alison says
Rice pudding…I’ll have to give it a shot! Thanks for the recipe.
Shelley says
Oooo! Looks good. I’m craving some and I’ve never even had it!
Mindy says
I thought I hated rice pudding until I was 24 years old when I actually tried it. It’s AMAZING! I’ve never made it myself, but definitely need to give it a try.
Nesleirbag says
Rice pudding is the ultimate comfort food and Sarah’s version sounds fab! Great post!
Mama Kelly aka Jia says
This looks so simple and so good!!! Thank you for sharing it.
Nathalie says
This looks delicious, I’m sure I would love it. But I live in a far away country (Denmark)where evaporated milk is nowhere to be found. Can I use a substitute? (we don’t have forms of canned milk – just regular skimmed/low fat/full fat/cream and butter milk – thanks.
Sarah says
The boxed milk in Europe has a similar flavor to Evaporated milk. So I would start with that. You can reduce it by about half to get the same consistency or you can just go with what you have. It will work, just be less creamy. The cans are 12 oz each.
Nathalie says
This looks delicious, I’m sure I would love it. But I live in a far away country (Denmark)where evaporated milk is nowhere to be found. Can I use a substitute? (we don’t have forms of canned milk – just regular skimmed/low fat/full fat/cream and butter milk – thanks.)
Joan Morris says
I agree, this rice pudding recipe is a big hit with the husband! I also didn’t realize how good rice pudding can be. Thanks Sarah for sharing!
Kay says
Looks delicious. I can’t wait to try it.
Judi V says
Yummo – this looks delish! I have printed off the recipe just have to get to the store for the cherries and we’re good to go!
homeandheart says
Looks Delish!! What size cans of milk? Thank you!!
Sarah says
12 oz. cans.
Teresa Walker says
Sarah,
I love you already! Thanks for the recipe and I can’t wait to try it. Beautiful pics…almost art that could go on a wall! More Sarah soon please!
April Traylor says
Sarah!!!! How cool that you are featured on this site. I’m still dreaming of the hush puppies you made one Christmas. They were delish. You have to show this site and recipe to Lucille! She is famous for her rice pudding too. She would love this! Hope all is well! April
Leslie L. says
Who would’ve thought….rice pudding?!? Sarah, you make this look so delish. I’be been so bored with my food options lately, but this is something new and easy (and yummy sounding!) that I’m definitely going to try. Thank you! Can’t wait to see what you post next.
Sylvia says
Sarah, thank you very much for sharing this recipe! I made it yesterday for a dinner party I had at home and it was a total success! Everyone raved about it and asked me what the secret ingredient was. Do you have a blog where I can follow your recipes? Thanks again!
Tania says
I love rice pudding! I cook my rice with cinammon sticks and then add some raisins with a dash of ground cinammon and nuts. SO GOOD!
Andrea says
Wow! I think you must be the perfect woman. Gorgeous? Check! Excellent cook? Check! Sharp wit? Check! You go girl!
Jennifer says
Found this on pintrest and tried it tonight. Excellent, awesome, fabulous – thank goodness my husband bought 4 cans of evaporated milk so I can make more soon!
Joan says
This Rice pudding recipe is DELICIOUS! It really is a keeper!
Sue says
hi,
I don’t know if it’s because I’m in the UK,but, what measure is 1C sugar?
Thank you,dying to try this rice pudding!!!!
Katie says
Hi Sue, it actually stands for cup, so you’ll need 1 cup of sugar. Thanks and good luck!