Brown Rice Pudding

Following up on Oven-baked Brown Rice, I promised a friend that I would post a Brown Rice Pudding recipe. I prefer brown rice for just about everything, and rice pudding is no exception. I like the mild, nutty flavor, and of course, as a whole grain, it is healthier. White and brown rice are the same rice, but white rice has had the bran and germ removed. This removes many health benefits. Read more on this Wikipedia page.
As always, I use this as more of a guide, since this is an easy dish to make. You can make it ahead, and reheat single servings in ramekins (just add more milk since the rice absorbs the liquid). I put a couple dishes to heat in the toaster oven while we make cinnamon and buttered toast, cut the toast into toast points, and we dip them into the hot rice pudding. Add some sliced fruit for a great way to start the day.


• 2 cups cooked whole grain brown rice
• 1½ cups milk (I usually end up adding more, especially when I reheat)
• 1-2 cups dried fruit (raisins are easy, but with Autumn here, dried cranberries would be great, dried cherries would be a hit, use your imagination- you can add different fruit to each ramekin to allow each person to choose.)
• 1 Tbsp butter
• ½ cup maple syrup or honey (you can substitute raw sugar, or zest sugar for a hint of citrus)
• 1 tsp of cinnamon (nutmeg, allspice, I have even added cardamom, or even vanilla)


Most recipes tell you to cook the pudding on the stove top, but I confess that I usually put everything in a covered dish and put it in the oven at 350°F (app. 176°C*), and check it periodically. This is done when this is thick and creamy.  If you prefer, I am including instructions to cook this on the stove.


Stove Instructions:
In a medium saucepan, combine ingredients and bring to a boil.
Reduce heat and simmer 20 mins, stirring often
Remove from heat, garnish and serve.


Experiment and find what you really enjoy, try adding cocoa powder and chocolate chips, or try this with coconut milk, steep a chi tea and add it to the pudding, etc.


*I use an online conversion chart and round up or down, as seems appropriate. Please adjust according to your judgement, and send me a message if you find an error. Thank you.