Lemon Grass Flavored Rice Pudding

Lemon Grass Flavored Rice Pudding

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup short or medium grain rice

• 6 cups soy milk (or whole milk)

• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar

• 1 tsp cinnamon

• 1 tsp cardamon

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1/2 tsp grated nutmeg + more for garnish

• 2 4-inch pieces of lemon grass stalk, smashed

• freshly grated zest of 1 orange

• 5 thinly sliced and chopped dried apricots

• 1 tbsp dried cranberries

• 2 tbsp golden raisins + more for serving

• toasted chopped pistachios for serving

1. Pour milk into a medium-sized saucepan and heat on low heat until it reaches boiling point.

2. Add rice, sugar, cinnamon, cardamon, nutmeg, orange zest and lemon grass to milk. Stir, lower heat to simmer and cook for 40 minutes. Stir occasionally.

3. Add vanilla extract cranberries, some of the apricots (leave some for serving) and raisins to pudding. Cook for an additional 10 to 15 minutes.

4. Remove lemon grass before serving.

5. Serve with additional raisins, apricots and pistachios, and a pinch of grated nutmeg. .

Servings: 8

Notes&Tips:

• This rice pudding packs a ton of flavors that will leave you wanting more! The addition of lemon grass made this dessert absolutely divine.

• I love lemon grass tea and wanted to add a bit of that flavor to this rice pudding. It was a hit on the first taste.

• I used soy milk in my recipe, but whole milk or evaporated milk also is great for rice pudding. If using evaporated milk, reduce the amount of added sugar.

• I like dessert, but I do not like it too sweet. The sweetness of this recipe was just right for my family's taste. Also the addition of the dried fruits was not overpowering in its sweetness.

• If you like a sweeter pudding, add more sugar.