Perfect Rice Pudding Recipe

April 11, 2022 10:27 PM

I would like a *very specific type* of rice pudding recipe that you can personally vouch for since the ones I’ve made from recipe blogs have been abysmal. I want rice pudding made with milk (not coconut milk), in an InstantPot or slow cooker, that comes out on the thinner side but not runny. It might have condensed milk or eggs, but neither is mandatory. I really want a recipe that comes out the right consistency, not all dried out or a hockey puck of glued together rice. No raisins, please. I want to stress the instant pot/slow cooker stipulation, as I do not have the kitchen stamina for the “bring to a boil, simmer, stir, etc etc” recipes.
posted by Bottlecap to Food & Drink (6 answers total)

Hmm. I can give you my "wing it" recipe. It's very lazy! (I've just re-read your question and realise it might be out of bounds as it's not slow cooker/insta pot, I misread rice cooker)

Step 1- there is cooked rice in your rice cooker. For me this is often because I made more than was needed for the main meal. Let's say a cup of cooked rice?

Step 2- add milk, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg. I'd guess maybe half a cup of milk, maybe more- usually enough to just cover the rice. A tablespoon or so of sugar (brown or raw is nice). Maybe a teaspoon of cinnamon and a few shakes of nutmeg? Spices to taste obviously. Mix so it's combined. (Too much milk will be too runny, obviously, use your best judgement.)

Step 3- flip on the rice cooker again to warm everything up. Come back in a few minutes to check on it, maybe give it a quick stir or add a little more milk (it's a wing it recipe, there may be on the fly adjustments.)

Step 4- when you're happy with the consistency, serve and eat!
posted by freethefeet at 12:06 AM on April 12, 2022 [5 favorites]

Look up recipes for kheer - the South Asian version of rice pudding. It comes out thinner but not runny and a little sweeter but not cloyingly so. I usually make it on the stovetop and add sliced almonds at the end. Some recipes will call for adding cloves or cardamom pods too but it's not necessary (and I don't care for the taste).

I haven't made it in a slow cooker or Instant Pot but I'm sure there are versions of the recipe online where it can be done.
posted by nayantara at 5:40 AM on April 12, 2022 [1 favorite]

Twelve years ago (!), I asked a similar question albeit without restrictions about cooking method. You might find some useful information in the answers.
posted by DrGail at 8:20 AM on April 12, 2022 [1 favorite]

You may not be finding examples, because other than very specific yogurt recipes, it is my understanding that dairy in a pressure cooker / crock pot is a bad idea because the milk can easily scald or curdle.
posted by mcgsa at 1:51 PM on April 12, 2022

Best answer: I can vouch for Pati Jinich’s recipe for arroz con leche. And here’s a two-minute video demo.

As for your requirements:

1. It’s made with a mixture of water, milk, and sweetened condensed milk.
2. I’ve only ever made it on the stovetop, but at least one commenter made it in an Instant Pot and said it “turned out amazing!” For what it’s worth, if you do make it on the stovetop, stirring is discouraged. Pati says that if you’re worried about sticking you can stir once, gently, but no more than that—you don’t want to break the rice and inadvertently turn the mixture into a paste.
3. The texture is perfect. It’s going to seem a little loose when it goes into the fridge to chill, but it comes together like *chef’s kiss*.
4. The raisins are optional.

A heads up: the recipe calls for so much liquid that at first it seems like it will never work. Trust Pati. The first time I made it, my mother checked the pot and said, “I hate to break it to you, but that’s soup.” Later she told me it was the best rice pudding she’d ever eaten.
posted by beabop at 9:53 AM on April 13, 2022 [2 favorites]

Best answer: Another option if you don’t want to stir a lot is oven pudding. This one is dead easy and delish, and not st all hockey puckish or runny. https://thehappyfoodie.co.uk/recipes/mary-berrys-classic-rice-pudding/
posted by stillmoving at 8:06 PM on April 13, 2022 [1 favorite]