Delicious & Wholesome Cinnamon Raisin Brown Rice Pudding: The Ultimate Comfort Dessert
Life has a wonderful way of presenting new experiences, often when you least expect them. Just recently, our family underwent a small but significant shift in our daily routine. For years, we happily navigated life as a one-car family. It was a system that worked for us, fostering a sense of intentionality in our planning and encouraging a slower pace. I never truly minded the careful scheduling, coordinating drop-offs for my husband at work, and consolidating errands into a single day. In our small town, where four stoplights mark the main thoroughfare, most essentials were within walking distance anyway. This simplicity was a charm, encouraging us to explore our surroundings on foot and appreciate the local pace of life.
The arrival of spring brought with it an irresistible urge to be outdoors. With the sun shining brightly and a delightful warmth in the air, we embraced walking with a renewed vigor. The past couple of weeks saw us clocking countless steps – long walks with my mother and sisters-in-law, quiet strolls on our own, and short jaunts just for the sheer pleasure of moving. It was a fantastic way to shake off the winter doldrums and revel in the beauty of the season. However, as often happens with spring, the weather took an unexpected turn. The sunny days gave way to persistent rain, confining us indoors. This shift coincided serendipitously with another recent change: we acquired a second vehicle.
Suddenly, the world felt a little more open. The ability to spontaneously decide on a trip to the park across town, or a visit to the swimming pool, or even a last-minute grocery run for a different dinner idea, was exhilarating. This newfound freedom offered a stark contrast to our previous mode of operation. Yet, despite the allure of possibilities, some days simply call for embracing the comfort of home. With the rain drumming against the windows, the most appealing plan seemed to be staying indoors, building magnificent forts out of bedsheets, and enjoying the simple pleasures of family time. After all, what could be more fun and cozy than that?
Embracing Indoor Comfort with Wholesome Brown Rice Pudding
And what better companion for a day filled with indoor adventures and fort-making than a warm, comforting bowl of rice pudding? It’s a dish that evokes nostalgia and provides a delightful sweetness. While I wasn’t always a rice pudding enthusiast, perhaps influenced by my dad’s disinterest in it during my childhood, my perspective completely changed when I discovered brown rice pudding. I’m not entirely sure what prompted me to try it, but I suspect the alluring aroma of my mom making her signature brown rice pudding was simply too captivating to resist. And oh, what a revelation it was! While white rice pudding still remains a bit of a mystery to me, this brown rice version is truly exceptional. The rich, earthy notes of the brown rice combined with the creamy sweetness create a symphony of flavors that is utterly irresistible. And the smell that fills the kitchen while it’s cooking? It’s pure heaven, a comforting embrace that makes you want to curl up with a good book and a warm spoon.
The Unique Appeal of Brown Rice Pudding
What sets brown rice pudding apart from its more common white rice counterpart is its profound depth of flavor and satisfying texture. Brown rice, a whole grain, brings a delightful nuttiness and a pleasant chewiness that white rice simply can’t match. This gives the pudding a more substantial and interesting mouthfeel, making each spoonful an experience. Beyond taste, brown rice offers significant nutritional benefits. It’s packed with fiber, B vitamins, and essential minerals, making this pudding a much more wholesome option. It provides sustained energy, preventing the sugar crash often associated with simpler desserts. This means you can enjoy it as a hearty breakfast, a satisfying afternoon snack, or even a comforting dessert without any guilt.
The combination of cinnamon and raisins further elevates this dish, transforming it into a truly classic comfort food. The warm, inviting spice of cinnamon perfectly complements the natural sweetness of the raisins, creating a harmonious flavor profile that is both familiar and deeply satisfying. When these ingredients simmer gently with the brown rice and your milk of choice, they infuse the entire pudding with an incredible aroma and taste that is simply unparalleled.
For something a bit sweeter for breakfast, try thesecinnamon roll muffins! They offer a delightful contrast to the creamy pudding but satisfy a similar craving for a warm, sweet start to the day.
Crafting the Perfect Brown Rice Pudding: Tips and Variations
Making delicious brown rice pudding is a straightforward process, but a few considerations can elevate your result. The initial cooking of the brown rice in water with a pinch of salt ensures it’s perfectly tender before the milk and sweeteners are introduced. Short-grain brown rice is often preferred for its slightly starchier content, which contributes to a creamier pudding, but medium or long-grain can also work, yielding a slightly different texture.
One key to this recipe’s wholesome appeal is the flexibility with milk. While full-fat dairy milk can create an incredibly rich and decadent pudding, combining it with almond milk or another plant-based milk offers a lighter yet still wonderfully creamy texture. This blend allows for a customizable richness that can suit various dietary preferences without sacrificing flavor. Don’t be shy about adjusting the sweetness to your liking; honey adds a lovely natural flavor, and you can always stir in a little more towards the end of cooking. Remember that the sweetness will become more concentrated as the pudding thickens, so taste and adjust as it cooks down.
The suggestion of adding cooked wheatberries is a brilliant touch for those who enjoy a bit of extra texture. These tiny, chewy grains complement the brown rice beautifully, adding another layer of interest to the pudding. However, if you don’t have them on hand, the pudding is still absolutely delicious without them. The constant stirring during the final 15-30 minutes of cooking is crucial to achieve that signature creamy consistency and prevent the pudding from sticking to the bottom of the pot. Patience and a gentle hand are your best friends here.
Brown Rice Pudding
Ingredients
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup short-grain brown rice
- 1/2 cup cooked wheatberries
- pinch of salt
- 4 cups milk of choice
- 1/3 cup honey
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- generous 1/2 C raisins
Instructions
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Cook rice in 2 cups of water with a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil and then cover and simmer 40 minutes. Remove rice from the heat. Add the wheat berries(if you have some and want to use them, they add a great chew to the pudding, but it’s not necessary – just what I had on hand this time), milk, honey or other sweetener, vanilla and cinnamon to the pot with the rice and stir well. I always add a little more honey at the end of the cooking so don’t be afraid to do that. If you taste it right away keep in mind it will cook down quite a bit so the sweetness will be concentrated. Also, we usually only have full fat milk in the house for the kids so I use half dairy milk and half almond milk or even slightly more almond milk to dairy. This way is still incredibly filling and rich.
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Bring to a low boil over medium-low heat, stirring often. Cook for about 30 minutes till the rice becomes very creamy adding the raisins in the last 15 minutes of cooking. At the end you’ll need to stir more frequently to prevent it from scorching on the bottom of the pot, be very careful. Once thickened turn off the heat and leave on the stove for 10-15 minutes. Then you can either serve warm or chill in the fridge and serve it cold. Either way is good, but it’s best served warm on a cold rainy day 🙂
Serving Suggestions for Your Perfect Pudding
One of the beautiful things about this brown rice pudding is its versatility. It’s delightful whether served warm or chilled. On a chilly, rainy day like we’ve been experiencing, a warm bowl of this pudding is the epitome of comfort, a hug in a bowl that warms you from the inside out. The steam rising gently, carrying the scent of cinnamon and vanilla, is an experience in itself. However, don’t underestimate its charm when served cold. Chilled brown rice pudding transforms into a refreshing, substantial dessert or snack, perfect for a warmer afternoon or as a make-ahead breakfast. The flavors meld even further in the fridge, creating a denser, more profound sweetness.
To enhance your brown rice pudding experience, consider a few simple toppings. A sprinkle of extra ground cinnamon on top, or a few more plump raisins, adds a lovely visual and an extra burst of flavor. For an added layer of texture and richness, chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans can be a wonderful addition. A dollop of whipped cream, a spoonful of Greek yogurt, or even a drizzle of maple syrup can transform it further. Whether you prefer it simple and classic or dressed up with your favorite additions, this cinnamon raisin brown rice pudding is sure to become a cherished recipe in your home.
Ultimately, this brown rice pudding recipe is more than just a list of ingredients and steps; it’s an invitation to slow down, savor a moment of comfort, and enjoy a truly wholesome and delicious treat. Perfect for those rainy days spent indoors building forts, or any time you crave a little warmth and sweetness, it’s a dish that embodies simple joy. So go ahead, whip up a batch, and let the comforting aromas fill your home, turning any ordinary day into something truly special. Enjoy this delightful blend of tradition and healthy goodness!