Norwegian Rice Recipes

TRADITIONAL NORWEGIAN RISENGRøT, RICE PORRIDGE

Steps:

• Let rice and water simmer on medium low heat in a heavy pot, uncovered, until most of the water is absorbed. Stir occasionally. This will take approximately 10 minutes.
• Add a bit of milk (approximately ¼ or ⅓ of the total milk needed), continuing to add more over the next 45-50 minutes while simmering on low heat. Stir well every five minutes or so. (An alternative is to add all of the milk right away, then stirring almost constantly as you raise the heat a bit to let it come to a simmer. Then lower the heat again to keep at a simmer.)
• Add more milk whenever the porridge thickens as the milk absorbs until rice is nicely tender and porridge is thick and creamy.
• Add sugar, salt, and vanilla sugar; stir well and serve while hot. If vanilla sugar is not available, you may use vanilla extract; however, this brown liquid will change the color of the porridge and it will not be as white as it should be.
• If the porridge becomes too thick, add more milk to thin it.
• Serve in bowls and sprinkle with cinnamon and white sugar, and a dab of butter in the center. Serve red juice to drink with the meal.
• Leave leftovers in the refrigerator and thin with milk when reheating.

RISKREM (NORWEGIAN RICE CREAM)

Steps:

• Cook rice, salt, and milk in double boiler until rice is soft and mixture is thick - about 1 1/2 hours.
• Add sugar and almond extract. Chill.
• Add all almonds.
• Stir in whipped cream.
• ** A favorite at Christmas, the person who receives the whole almond receives a special gift (often a marzipan pig).

NORWEGIAN RICE

Steps:

• Heat the milk to boiling point.
• Cook the rice in boiling water until almost done, then drain it.
• Add the rice to the hot milk- bring the milk to almost a boil. When the rice is fully cooked, add step #4.
• Beat 1 egg and 3/4 cup sugar, 1 tsp salt, 3 tbsp flour, and 1/2 cup Half and Half cream- mix well.
• Cook at a slow boil until the rice is well suspended, and stays at the surface when the milk is boiling.
• Cool, and serve. I like it best when refrigerated, but some like it warm. Sprinkling cinnamon on top is always good.
• Enjoy!

NORWEGIAN RICE PUDDING - RISENGRYN GROD

Steps:

• Boil water and add rice, cover and lower heat to simmer for 15 minutes.
• Add milk and, if using them, the raisins or currants and vanilla and bring back to a boil.
• Cover, lower heat and simmer until the rice is tender, about 20-30 minutes.
• Season with salt.
• Serve with butter, milk, sugar and cinnamon.
• For a sweeter rice try adding 1/4 to 1/2 cup sugar with the milk.

SCANDINAVIAN-STYLE RICE PORRIDGE

Steps:

• Using a rolling pin, crush the cardamom seeds until very fine. Place the cardamom, milk, rice, and butter into a deep, heavy pan. While slowly stirring the milk mixture, cook over medium heat for 90 minutes. Lower the heat if necessary to prevent the milk from boiling or overheating. Stir in the sugar, and continue cooking until the mixture thickens, about 15 minutes more.
• Pour the rice mixture into a serving bowl. Place 3 tablespoons butter on top, and allow to melt. Dust with cinnamon. Serve warm or cold.