If you're looking for a simple recipe to make for dessert this week, this rice pudding recipe is for you. The ingredients list isn't extensive, making this an affordable and easy dessert to prepare. Plus, this recipe's use of skim milk means the fat content is low. There's a lot to love! Let's check it out.
Ingredients:
6 cups water
2 sticks cinnamon
1 cup rice
3 cups skim milk
2/3 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
Directions:
1. Put water and cinnamon sticks into medium saucepan. Bring to boil.
2. Wash rice. Stir in rice. Cook on low heat for 30 minutes until rice is soft and water has evaporated.
3. Add skim milk, sugar, and salt. Cook for another 15 minutes until mixture thickens.
Yield: 5 servings Serving size: 1/2 cup
Each serving provides:
Calories: 372
Total fat: 1 g
Saturated fat: less than 1 g
Cholesterol: 3 mg
Sodium: 366 mg
Total fiber: 1 g
Protein: 10 g
Carbohydrates: 81 g
Potassium: 363 mg
Why You Need to Wash Your Rice
If you haven't ever washed your rice before, you might be surprised to see it as a step in this recipe. Washing your rice is very important to making the best rice pudding that you can. The main reason for washing your rice before cooking it is cleanliness.
Despite the best efforts of processing centers, dirt and debris isn't always completely removed from rice. You don't want these contaminants in your food! By giving your rice a good wash before cooking it, you'll ensure that any residual dirt, bugs, and dust is removed.
Unfortunately, rice can also be contaminated with heavy metals. Rice can be contaminated with arsenic, lead, cadmium, and other heavy metals. Although regulatory agencies have acknowledged this and stated that these levels aren't harmful to humans, some studies have suggested otherwise. Given this, it's important to wash your rice. This is especially true if you have young children, as they are particularly susceptible to heavy metal poisoning.
To wash your rice, fill a bowl or pot with water. Pour the rice you're going to use in. Then, agitate the rice. You will likely notice the water become white or cloudy. If you do, strain the rice out and then repeat the process. Keep doing this until the water remains clear. If the water remains clear the first time, simply strain the rice and cook. Even if you don't notice the water become cloudy or white, it's still good that you washed your rice.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Mariontxa/Shutterstock.com.