Tuesday, November 18, 2008

TWD - Black and white arborio rice pudding



It's Tuesday with Dorie again, and this week, our host is Isabelle of Les Gourmandises d'Isa. Isabelle has chosen Dorie's recipe for one of my favourite desserts - rice pudding!

I chose to make both "black" (chocolate) and "white" rice pudding, mainly out of curiosity because I had never tried chocolate rice pudding before.

Just before writing this post, I read the comments in the TWD forum, and found that lots of people had problems with the pudding not thickening. I must admit to being very sceptical about only a quarter of a cup of rice being used to make the pudding, with more than three cups of liquid. However, mine thickened up nicely, even using the 35 minutes boiling time in the recipe (which Dorie subsequently corrected in the TWD forum to 55 minutes). This may be because I have a very lively stove - even when turned down as far as it will go, my gas cooktop still flames strongly, which means that I often have problems with recipes that have to simmer for long periods running out of liquid.

The finished product was delicious! You only end up with a small amount of pudding - enough for 3-4 serves maximum - but this is perfect for me. It was also delightfully creamy, and the rice is softer than in my Mum's quicker, low fuss version. I think I preferred the chocolate pudding, but both were good.

Although the time needed to make this pudding is greater than for my usual rice pudding recipe, the tasty end result was worth it.

To see the other TWD members' interpretations of Dorie's arborio rice pudding, check out the TWD blogroll here.


30 comments:

Engineer Baker said...

Smart idea to make both - good to know which one you'd want to make again :) Maybe 35 is perfect for gas stoves, because I have one and that's how long I cooked mine too.

The Blonde Duck said...

I've never had rice pudding, but that looks wonderful!

Knowing me, I'd dump it in a bowl and make a "swirl".

Tammy said...

snap with the photo! I was surprised wiht the small amount it made as well - just as well though, as I kept sneaking wee spponfuls!

Anonymous said...

I haven't had rice pudding in the longest time. Why not, I don't know. Yours looks so good I'll have to make some soon :)

Anonymous said...

Wow 1/4 cup of rice and 3 cups of liquid will make ti? I would have been a bit skeptical but there you have it, a pudding in all of its glory. Great idea making a black and white one too!

Maria said...

Interesting!! I like the black and white!

Cakelaw said...

Hi Engineer Baker, there are some compensations for having a fast stove.

Hi Blonde Duck, that would be fun!

Hi Tammy, I'm with you - if there was more, it could be bad for my waistline!

Hi Maryann - I recommend this one!

Hi Lorraine, it amazed me, but the small amount of rice really does produce quite a volume.

Thanks Maria - like a black and white cookie!

Anonymous said...

I made the vanilla with cinnamon and raisins, but you're definitely making me crave the chocolate version.

Unknown said...

There's a traditional rice pudding in Indonesia which is called red and white rice pudding. The red is not really red like blood red but it is more like brown because the red one is made from palm sugar as the sweetener. The other one is cooked in salt and coconut cream only. A custom to celebrate baby showering, some kind like that. I always like rice pudding, no need the hassle to chew much hehehe I bet the chocolate one gives so much flavour on the white one!

Deb said...

Yes, wasn't it yummy. I didn't make the choccie one, but would definitely make the vanilla one again.

Cakelaw said...

Ooh, cinnamon and raisins sobnds very good to me.

Hi Arfi, the red version sounds intriguing! You're right on the low-chew factor - it is very soft.

It was yummy - I liked the vanilla one tooo.

Finla said...

I have never made chocolate rice pudding should try them once

Cakelaw said...

Hi Happy Cook - can definitely recommend the chocolate one!

Mary said...

Vanilla and chocolate rice pudding sounds great!

Nancy/n.o.e said...

Ha, ha, we have the same picture of the choc+vanilla together! My gas stove is pretty hot also, but it has a simmer plate that slows down the time when simmering. And I was amazed at the small quantity that was left - 3 smallish bowls is all I could muster.
Nancy

Jodie said...

Looks good, glad you liked it!

chocolatechic said...

I almost made both, but in the end, I made the chocolate.

jesse said...

This has got to be the best idea ever. A black and white rice pudding spells the end of me going "CHOCOLATE OR VANILLA, AHHH!!!" You're a genius!

Melissa said...

You sound just like me... both were good, but I preferred the chocolate. And we only got 4 servings out of this as well. Quite a change to the huge batches of cookies or large cakes that we're used to making each week.

Katrina said...

Hey, I did the same thing with my two puddings, displayed them in a bowl just like yours! Great minds, I'm sure!

Susan from Food Blogga said...

I love using arborio for rice pudding. It comes so thick and creamy.

Cakelaw said...

Thanks Mary - was delish.

Hi n.o.e., two great minds ...

Thanks Jodie.

Good choice Chocolatechic - the chocolate was my favourite.

That's right Jesse - you can have it all!

Hi Melissa, it was a welcome change.

Hi Katrina, a few of us had this idea - it's obviously a good one!

Hi Susan, I hve never used arborio rice in rice pud before, but I definitely would again.

Pamela said...

Nice job. I didn't read the P & Q at TWD, so I wasn't aware of the timing error. Oh well, my husband liked it just fine. And I thought the chocolate was good, too. Nice job!

Anonymous said...

I am so glad that you liked it!! And even though it gave you a lot, at least you have leftovers!

adele said...

Oooh. Chocolate rice pudding? Yum!

Cakelaw said...

Hi Pamela, me neither - not until it was too late. It was good!

Hi Teanna - absolutely - though it's all gone now :)

Hi deele - yes it was!

Joanna said...

i love this pudding!! it's so beautiful. i would probably ruin the presentation as soon as my spoon meets the pudding... but that would only make it taste better. very nice!!

Rosie said...

I adore your two rice puddings you've made. They both look yummy and such great comfort food.

Rosie x

Ivy said...

I would never have though to make a chocolate rice pudding as in my mind rice pudding is always white but it sounds like a great idea.
I have tagged you for a very good cause. Hope you can join me in The Worldwide Blogger Bake Off Challenge.
http://kopiaste.org/2008/11/no-knead-anise-and-sultana-whole-wheat-rolls/

Cakelaw said...

Hi Joanna, I was really surprised (in a good way!) by the end result. I should have known that Dorie would know what she was talking about.

Agreed Rosie - rice pudding reminds me of childhood and cold winter evenings rugged up in my dressing gown and slippers in front of the heater.

Hi Ivy, do try the chocolate - it's very good. Thanks for the tag - will get my thinking cap on!