Come on, this is comfort food at it’s best. Next to macaroni and cheese, stews, chili and more. It has been ‘upgraded’ , if you will, to becoming spectacular.
- 3/4 cup golden raisins
- 1/2 cup spiced rum
- 1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup arborio rice
- 1 tbsp. butter
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 large egg yolk
- pinch of salt
- whipped cream
Put the raisins in a small bowl and pour the rum over them. Cover and let sit for up to 2 hours. Drain off the liquid. (Secret here: soak the raisins in hot water for about 5 minutes and drain, then add the rum)
Scrape the vanilla bean seeds into a small dish and set aside. Combine the water, rice and bean in a heavy saucepan. Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer cooking covered for about 20 minutes (until the liquid has all been absorbed. Uncover, remove and discard the vanilla bean and let cool down.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease an 8 cup baking bowl with the butter and set the bowl inside a large roasting pan.
In a large bowl, whisk together the milk, brown sugar, eggs, egg yolk, salt and now the reserved vanilla seeds. Add the cooked rice and stir to mix well. Pour into the baking dish. Put the roasting pan on the oven rack and now add boiling water to halfway up the side of the bowl and baking until the pudding is set in the center and is browning around the edges.
Remove from the roasting pan and let cool for about 15-20 minutes. Serve with a generous dollop of sweetened whipped cream. If you want to add insult to injury….pour a glass of ice wine to complement the pudding.
Yippee! What comfort as this is darn good and you did it.
Plum Vodka Martini
Ha! You thought I had given up on martinis, didn’t you? Well, I haven’t. We haven’t had company that I could make any for. So it took me awhile and then I thought…..now’s the time.
It is simple but the inclusion of the whipped cream vodka makes it really tasty.
- 1 part spiced run
- 1 part Slivovitz (plum liqueur)
- 1 part whipped cream vodka (yes, they really do make it)
Rim martini glasses with coloured sugar (mauve to purple) and chill. Pour ingredients into shaker filled with crushed ice and shake.
Strain into the prepared glasses and garnish with a slice of red plum.
Yummmmmmmm.
Coconut Eggnog – Puerto Rico style
This is a great homemade drink to offer guests. The glasses are small and cold when serving and absolutely delicious.
- 4 cups unsweetened coconut milk
- 6 tbsp. sugar
- 8 large egg yolks
- 2 tsp. vanilla
- 6-8 tbsp. dark or spiced rum
- 1/2 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg
Combine the milk and sugar in a saucepan and bring to scalding.
In a medium bowl, beat the yolks with vanilla. beat 1/4 of the milk mixture into the yolks and whisk all the yolk mixture in the milk. Stirring constantly, cook over low heat until it coats the back of a spoon. Do not let this boil.
Strain in to a bowl and stir in the rum. Let stand to cool down to room temperature. Cover with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator until completely chilled.
Chill the glasses as well. When serving sprinkle a whisper of nutmeg on top. Enjoy!
What a wonderful way to make friends.