Coconut Rice Pudding

Desserts, Gluten-Free, Originals, Winter / Friday, November 14th, 2008

When Henry the Wonderdog was a puppy, I took him to Mom’s after she’d decorated the house for Christmas, and she showed me her latest find: a stuffed reindeer that played Christmas carols. She was dying to see how Henry would react to it, because that’s what you do when you have a puppy: you spin it and tickle it and show it things to see what happens. We took turns squeezing the reindeer and making it sing, but Henry just stared off into the distance, totally ignoring the flashing nose and that one blaring verse of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.”

So, we were talking and warming up Mom’s rice pudding, when we heard that familiar verse of “Rudolph” coming from the next room. Henry was neutered soon afterward.

To this day, I can’t hear “Rudolph” or eat rice pudding without thinking of Henry humping that reindeer. Glad to pass that special Christmas memory on to you, along with my recipe for Coconut Rice Pudding with Cranberries and Pistachios.

Coconut Rice Pudding with Cranberries and Pistachios

From Rebecca Crump (Ezra Pound Cake)

  • 1 cup cooked long grain or basmati rice
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • Pinch salt
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 3/4 cup coconut milk
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1 tablespoon orange blossom water
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/3 cup dried cranberries
  • 1/3 cup chopped unsalted pistachios
  1. In a large nonstick saute pan over medium heat, combine the cooked rice, milk and a pinch of salt. Heat until the mixture begins to boil. Decrease the heat to low and simmer until the mixture begins to thicken, stirring frequently, approximately 5 minutes.
  2. Increase the heat to medium, add the heavy cream, coconut milk, sugar, orange blossom water, cardamom, cinnamon and nutmeg. Cook until the mixture thickens again, approximately 5  minutes.
  3. Remove from the heat, and stir in the cranberries and pistachios.

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15 thoughts on “Coconut Rice Pudding”

  1. Lol. What a great, funny Christmas story!

    This recipe sounds wonderful. Where would I get orange blossom water?

    Thanks!
    Karla

  3. Hey, Karla–

    If your grocery carries orange blossom water, it will probably by in either the ethnic foods section (Indian) or in the baking aisle, near the vanilla. But you can find it much cheaper online (I’ve ordered from Amazon), in the international foods section of a farmer’s market, or at a Middle Eastern grocery. I’ve also seen it at health food stores.

    HOWEVER, you definitely don’t have to have it to make this recipe. It just adds a little sumpin-sumpin.

    Hope that helps!

  4. OMG.. forgot all about the reindeer and Henri! He still looks at Rudolph ..fondly :)

    Great rice pudding recipe.. from one who only ever made it with raisins and cinnamon. How did you get so adventurous?

  6. Way too funny. You gotta love dogs. Any yes that is a ‘special Christmas memory.
    I am making a rice pudding this weekend and needed inspiration. This is lovely.

  7. Oh my goodness. I just came across your blog via StumbleUpon and everything looks DELISH! I’m usually pretty picky, but I want to make everything on your site :) Looking forward to following along.

  11. […] chocolate (as distinct from hot chocolate made from cocoa) as well as a delish-sounding recipe for cranberry, pistachio and coconut rice pudding and even a recipe for how to make […]

  14. Really. No Lie. Freaking yumbalicious puddin! Served it with Indian round one and have been making it “just because” lately. Very satisfying, purdy and creamy!

  15. […] chocolate (as distinct from hot chocolate made from cocoa) as well as a delish-sounding recipe for cranberry, pistachio and coconut rice pudding and even a recipe for how to make […]

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