Rice Pudding with a Clear Method

Rice Pudding with a Clear Method keeps the shopping list focused on whole milk, Arborio rice uncooked, and kosher salt. It serves 4 people.

Count on 10 minutes of prep, 30 minutes of cooking, 2 hours of resting, about 2 hours from the first measurement to the plate.

Ingredients Method

What goes in the bowl

• 4 cups whole milk
• ½ cup Arborio rice uncooked
• 1 pinch kosher salt
• 1 vanilla bean — split or 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 large egg yolks
• ⅓ cup granulated sugar
• Pistachios — for serving
• Cinnamon — for serving

How the cooking goes

1. Blend the milk, rice, salt, and split vanilla bean in a large heavy-bottomed saucepan. If using vanilla extract, do not add it yet. Heat it until it boils over high heat, stirring constantly.
2. Lower the heat to low, cover, and simmer gently for 15 minutes, stirring now and then.
3. While the pudding simmers, whisk together the egg yolks, sugar, and vanilla extract (if using) in a medium mixing bowl until fully combined. Keep it to one side.
4. Uncover and continue simmering, stirring often, until the rice is tender and the pudding has thickened. Do not let it boil. Stir constantly toward the end to prevent the milk from scorching, then remove the vanilla bean and scrape all the seeds into the pudding.
5. Slowly ladle the hot rice mixture into the egg yolk mixture, whisking constantly to prevent the eggs from scrambling. Return the entire mixture to the saucepan and cook over a gentle flame, stirring, until thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 5 minutes.
6. Remove from the heat and move it onto a serving dish or storage container. Press a piece of parchment or plastic wrap directly against the entire surface to prevent a skin from forming. Refrigerate until cold, at least 2 hours.
7. Serve cold topped with crushed pistachios and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

After it comes off the heat

Give the plate the rest the method asks for. Cover leftovers and refrigerate them when the dish includes meat, eggs, or dairy.

If you want another plate from Brunch, open Sweet Crepe for a Slow Morning and Cinnamon Raisin French Toast before the Day Starts.