Rice pudding with dried plums

Rice pudding with dried plums: a delicious recipe that combines tradition with a touch of modernity

When we think of desserts, we often imagine elaborate treats, but sometimes the simplest recipes can surprise us with their flavor. Rice pudding with dried plums is such an example. Enriched with the warm flavors of cinnamon and clove, this dessert becomes a true delight for the senses. Although the recipe is traditional, I decided to reinvent it a bit, adapting it to modern tastes without affecting its original charm.

Preparation time: 15 minutes
Baking time: 35 minutes
Total time: 50 minutes
Number of servings: 6 servings

Ingredients:

- 175 grams dried plums
- 125 grams white rice (preferably Arborio or Basmati)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 100 grams butter (plus 25 grams for the sauce)
- 100 grams sugar for the pudding (120 grams for the caramel glaze)
- 1 vanilla pod
- 4 eggs
- 30 grams flour
- 1 clove
- 2 sticks of cinnamon (or 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon)

Preparation:

1. Preparing the plums: Start by washing the dried plums well. Place them in a bowl and cover them with warm water. Let them soak for 2-3 hours or even overnight to hydrate. This step is essential for achieving a soft and pleasant texture in the pudding.

2. Boiling the plums: After the plums have hydrated, put them to boil in a pot of boiling water, along with the cinnamon sticks and clove. Boil them for 2 minutes, then strain them, keeping the boiling water (do not throw away this aromatic water!).

3. Preparing the rice: In the same boiling water of the plums, add the washed rice and salt. Add the whole vanilla pod. Let the rice simmer on low heat until the water evaporates completely, and the rice becomes soft. This process will take about 20 minutes.

4. Cooling the rice: Once the rice is ready, remove the vanilla pod and let it cool. You can open the vanilla pod with a knife to extract the essence, but keep it aside to use in the final mixture.

5. Preparing the mixture: In a large bowl, beat the egg whites until frothy. Gradually add the sugar and continue mixing until you achieve a compact meringue. In another bowl, combine the cooled rice with melted butter, egg yolks, drained and boiled plums, flour, and the extracted vanilla essence. Mix well.

6. Incorporating the egg whites: Finally, add the meringue to the rice mixture, gently folding from the bottom up to keep the mixture airy.

7. Baking: Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius. Grease a baking dish with butter and dust it with flour. Pour the mixture into the dish and bake for 35 minutes or until the pudding becomes golden and firm to the touch.

8. Cooling and serving: After baking, let the pudding cool slightly before turning it out onto a platter. In the meantime, you can prepare the caramel sauce.

Preparing the caramel sauce:

1. In a pan, add 120 grams of sugar and caramelize it over low heat, stirring constantly to avoid burning.

2. Once the sugar has melted and turned golden, turn off the heat and add 200 ml of hot water, stirring quickly. Be careful, as the mixture will bubble up hot!

3. Add 25 grams of butter and mix well until completely melted.

Serving suggestions:
Rice pudding with dried plums is served cold, but with warm caramel sauce poured over it. You can also add some chopped nuts or almond flakes for an extra texture.

Useful tips:
- If you want a more intense flavor, you can add a few drops of rum extract to the pudding mixture.
- This recipe can also be adapted with other dried fruits, such as apricots or raisins.
- The pudding can be kept in the fridge for a few days, making it an excellent dessert to enjoy for breakfast or as a snack.

Nutritional benefits:
Rice pudding with dried plums is a good source of complex carbohydrates, providing energy, as well as fiber from the dried plums, which aids digestion. Additionally, the content of eggs and milk makes it rich in protein.

Frequently asked questions:
- Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?
Yes, but the cooking time will be longer and the texture will be different.
- Is it possible to make the pudding without sugar?
You can use sweetener alternatives, but make sure they match the desired texture.

Now that you have all the necessary information, all that's left to do is get cooking! Whether you choose to enjoy this pudding with a cup of hot tea or a glass of sweet wine, it will surely be a treat you won't forget anytime soon. Enjoy!