Spiced Rice Pudding With Blackberry Compote Food

SPICED RICE PUDDING WITH BLACKBERRY COMPOTE

Steps:

• Cook the rice following pack instructions - don't be tempted to cook it until al dente - it will not continue to cook in the milk later, so it needs to be nice and soft at this point.
• Meanwhile, mix the cornflour to a paste with a little of the milk until smooth. Add this to a saucepan with the remaining milk, condensed milk, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, vanilla and a good pinch of salt. Stir until smooth, then bring to a simmer. Turn down to very low heat and leave to gently infuse while the rice cooks.
• When the rice is cooked, drain well, then add to the warm milk mixture. Turn up the heat and bubble until thick and creamy - this will take about 20-25 mins.
• To make the blackberry compote, empty the blackberries into a saucepan, add the agave syrup and bring to a simmer. Boil for a few mins. Cool for a few mins before serving, or serve at room temperature with the rice pudding.

VANILLA RICE PUDDING WITH BLACKBERRY COMPOTE

Steps:

• For the compote: Combine the blackberries, sugar, lemon juice and zest in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the juice starts to thicken and coats the back of a spoon, about 9 minutes. Remove from the heat, transfer to a medium heatproof bowl and let cool slightly, about 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, make the pudding: Combine the rice, cream, milk and sugar in a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until almost all the liquid is absorbed and the pudding has a porridge-like consistency, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and add the vanilla bean paste and a pinch of salt, stirring to combine.
• Divide the rice among 4 bowls and spoon the blackberry compote over the top. Serve immediately.

RICE PUDDING WITH APRICOT COMPOTE

Steps:

• Boil the rice in the water for 8 minutes, or until the water is absorbed. Add the milk and simmer over very low heat for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to make sure that the bottom does not stick and burn.
• When the rice is very soft and the milk not entirely absorbed, add the sugar and stir until dissolved. If it is a bit dry, add a little more milk. Add the orange blossom or rose water, or a mix of the two, and cook for a minute longer. Turn off the heat, sprinkle on the mastic, if using, and stir very well before pouring into a serving bowl. There should still be quite a bit of liquid. It will be absorbed as the pudding cools; the result should be creamy. Pour the pudding into a wide serving dish and chill in the refrigerator, covered with plastic wrap.
• For the apricot compote, wash the apricots, cut them in half, and remove the pits. Put them in a large heavy-bottomed pan with the water, sugar, and lemon juice. Cook, covered, over low heat for 10 minutes, or until the apricots fall apart. Let the fruit cool, then chill it in the refrigerator before spreading it over the rice pudding.