Sweet Gratin Rice

Quick and Delicious Dessert: Baked Sweet Rice

Baked sweet rice is a dessert that perfectly combines the delicate flavors of vanilla and star anise, turning every bite into an unforgettable tasting experience. This dish is ideal for children as well as adults, featuring a creamy texture and wonderful taste. Additionally, it is a simple and accessible recipe, perfect for those moments when you want to treat your family to something truly special. Let's see how we can make this delicious dessert!

Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes
Total time: 45 minutes
Servings: 6-8

Ingredients:
- 1 large cup of rice (ideally use dessert rice, such as Arborio rice)
- 3 large cups of milk (whole milk provides the best creaminess)
- 1 packet of vanilla sugar (or, for an even more intense flavor, use natural vanilla sugar)
- 1 tablespoon of butter
- A pinch of salt
- Sugar to taste (depending on how sweet you prefer the dessert)
- 1 cup of cream (you can use cooking cream or sweet cream)
- 2 star anise (or 1/2 teaspoon of ground anise if you don't have stars)
- 1 vanilla bean

Preparation method:

1. Preparing the rice: Start by rinsing the rice under cold running water until the water runs clear. This step is important to remove excess starch and achieve less sticky rice.

2. Boiling the rice: Place the rinsed rice in a pot with cold water and let it boil for 5-6 minutes. The goal is to soften it, not to cook it completely. After the indicated time, drain the rice and set it aside.

3. Preparing the mixture: In the same pot, add the 3 cups of milk, star anise, seeds extracted from the vanilla bean, and vanilla sugar. Bring everything to a boil over low heat, stirring occasionally. Add sugar to taste and a pinch of salt.

4. Boiling the rice in milk: Once the milk starts to boil, add the drained rice and butter. Simmer everything over low heat, stirring constantly, until the rice absorbs most of the milk and becomes creamy (about 20-25 minutes).

5. Adding the cream: Once the rice is cooked, remove the pot from the heat and incorporate the cream. This will add an even richer texture to the dessert. Mix well to combine all the ingredients.

6. Baking: Preheat the oven to 180°C. Grease a baking dish with butter and pour the rice mixture into it. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the surface turns beautifully golden.

7. Serving: Baked sweet rice can be served warm or cold, cut into slices. For an extra touch of flavor, you can top it with apricot jam or any other favorite preserve. This fruity note will bring a pleasant acidity that will wonderfully contrast with the sweetness of the rice.

Practical tips:
- If you want to experiment, add other spices such as cinnamon or a pinch of nutmeg.
- You can use almond milk or coconut milk for a vegan version of the recipe.
- Instead of star anise, try using cardamom for a unique flavor.

This baked sweet rice recipe is not only easy to make but also full of flavors and textures, making it a perfect dessert for any occasion. Treat yourself and your loved ones to a dish that is sure to bring smiles to their faces!