Ingredients:
- 1 cup white rice (such as Arborio or jasmine rice)
- 2 cups water
- 2 cups milk (whole milk or a milk alternative like almond milk or coconut milk)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or 1 vanilla bean pod, split lengthwise and seeds scraped out
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, diced
- Pinch of salt
- Optional garnish: additional diced strawberries and fresh mint leaves
Instructions:
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Cook the rice:
- In a medium saucepan, combine the rice and water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the rice is cooked and tender and most of the water is absorbed.
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Add milk and sugar:
- Stir in the milk, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, or vanilla bean seeds. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the mixture starts to thicken and simmer gently.
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Simmer and stir:
- Continue to simmer the rice pudding mixture over low heat, stirring occasionally, for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the pudding reaches your desired consistency. Be sure to stir more frequently as the pudding thickens to prevent sticking and burning.
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Add diced strawberries:
- Once the rice pudding has reached the desired consistency and the rice is creamy, stir in the diced strawberries. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes to soften the strawberries slightly.
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Remove from heat:
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the rice pudding cool slightly. It will continue to thicken as it cools.
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Serve:
- Serve the Strawberry Rice Pudding warm or chilled, garnished with additional diced strawberries and fresh mint leaves if desired.
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Enjoy:
- Enjoy this delicious and comforting dessert with the wonderful flavors of strawberries and vanilla!
This Strawberry Rice Pudding with Vanilla is perfect for enjoying as a dessert or a sweet snack. It's creamy, flavorful, and sure to be a hit with family and friends!