Danish Rice Pudding Risengrod Recipes

RISALAMANDE (DANISH ALMOND RICE PUDDING WITH CHERRY SAUCE)

Steps:

• Bring the rice, salt, lemon zest, sugar and water to a boil in a medium-sized stock pot. Boil for 3 minutes, add the milk and return to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer for 30-35 minutes, stirring occasionally, increasing the frequency during the last 10 minutes to prevent scorching. Stir in the chopped blanched almonds.
• Let the rice cool and then chill for several hours or overnight.
• Beat the cream until it starts to thicken. Add the sugar, vanilla bean paste and almond extract and beat until stiff peaks form. Be careful not to over-beat. Stir the cream mixture into the rice pudding.(Note: The rice will may be very stiff. Stir it to loosen it up and then stir it more after the cream has been added to break up any clumps.)
• Serve the Risalamande at room temperature with the warm cherry sauce.

RICE PORRIDGE (RISENGRøD IN DANISH, RISGRYNSGRöT IN

Steps:

• Rinse rice well and drain. In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, bring 1 1/2 cups water, butter, and salt to a rapid boil over high heat. Pour in rice, stirring constantly to prevent sticking.
• Reduce heat to low, stirring rice until boiling is reduced to a simmer. Cover pot and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, until rice has absorbed most of the water.
• Add milk to rice, stirring to incorporate. Bring mixture to a boil, stirring constantly, then immediately reduce heat to low.
• Once boiling has reduced to a simmer, cover pot and allow to cook, without stirring, for 45 minutes.
• Serve with cinnamon-sugar and butter to taste
• (Christmas Eve Reminder: Don't forget to stir a single blanched almond into the rice porridge before serving, particularly if there are family members you'd like to see married off. If there are Nisse about and livestock at stake, it's also a good idea to top the porridge with a big slice of butter ... or face the consequences!).