Check out my easy recipe for rice pudding. My kids love it and it does not take much effort. We eat it for breakfast, though it is probably more of a dessert. You can read more details below.
Easy Rice Pudding
Equipment
- Rice cooker
Ingredients
- 2½ C White Rice (or rice mix…see post)
- 3 cans Evaporated Milk
- ¾ C Sugar
- 2 tsp Cinnamon
- 1 dash Cloves or nutmeg (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the rice according to the instructions of your rice cooker.
- In a large bowl, or in your rice pot if it is big enough, add 3 cans of evaporated milk, sugar, and cinnamon (as well as any other seasonings you want).
- Mix together well and serve.
Type of Rice for Easy Rice Pudding
I use two types of rice, white long-grain rice and jasmine rice, at a 1/1 ratio. So half white rice and half jasmine rice.
I discovered this mix from trying to make homemade fried rice. An Asian cookbook I have says to use this combination. The popular rice brand Mahatma even sells a 50/50 long grain and jasmine rice mix specifically for fried rice. According to this brand, “traditional long grain white rice … is neutral in flavor” while jasmine rice is “fragrant [and] slightly sweet.” Mahatma notes that, “[w]hen combined, these rice varieties balance each other out perfectly for an enhanced rice taste.” (emphasis in original).
I’ve found that this combination is great for almost any time you are using rice. If I’m making a dish that calls for white rice, you can bet I will be using a 50/50 blend of white rice and jasmine rice.
To Rinse or Not Rinse the Rice, That is the Question
Going back to Mahatma, their rice instructions do not include rinsing. All it states is to “bring water to a boil. Stir in rice. Cover. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes or until all water is absorbed.”
In fact, most rice produced in the US is thoroughly washed and fortified with vitamins. Those added nutrients create the dusty or powdery layer you see on the grains of rice. If you wash off this powder, you will be washing off these supplemental nutrients.
Mahatma says that the only rice that should be washed is sushi rice.
Still, others, such as culinary scientist Matt Slem via Martha Stewart, argue that even though washing may remove some added nutrients, washing rice also removes any dirt, debris, chemicals, or even bugs from the rice. These unwanted elements could contaminate the rice through the transportation process, even if the rice is thoroughly cleaned by the producer.
People also claim washing rice improves the texture by removing excess starches. This claim has been debunked by food scientists, who found that washing rice has no significant impact on the texture of cooked rice.
In my opinion, if you feel better about washing the rice, wash the rice. If you enjoy the process of washing the rice, wash the rice. If you prefer not to wash the rice, don’t wash the rice.
Rice Pudding Options
If you think rice pudding is more appropriate as a dessert than as a breakfast food, I probably agree with you. I feel the same way about muffins. If you put frosting on a muffin, you have a cupcake. So you are just eating an unfrosted cupcake for breakfast.
But I still eat it for breakfast from time to time.
You can add raisins, which is delicious.
I also sometimes add another 1/4 cup of sugar because I have a problem.
We have also added fresh berries or bananas.
You also have the option of eating it hot or cold, but I definitely think it is best warm and fresh.
Storing easy rice pudding
My opinion is that rice is never really that good after it is refrigerated.
It can be stored in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. My kids will still eat it and like it.
I do not like it as much, though. So my recommendation is that make as much as you think you can eat for your meal.
