| Prep: 10 mins | Cook: 45 mins | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 300 | 6g | 3g | 55g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 30g | 2g | 9g | 0.1g |
Cardamom Rice Pudding, a dessert delicacy that radiates aromatic allure and sweetness, has captured my heart and taste buds. Living in Miami while leaning on my Cuban and Spanish roots, I find its exotic flavor a soothing blend of cultures, and an insight into a culinary masterpiece that begins in the kitchen and ends up delighting the senses. The blend of rice, creamy milk, and cardamom pods is not simply a mix of ingredients; it’s a fusion of flavors choreographed like a dance, with me as the dance teacher coordinating the smooth transitions and striking balances. 
The Dance of Flavors
The Cardamom Rice Pudding is, like any good dance, composed of many parts. It begins with the rhythm set by the Arborio rice, whose grainy texture whispers tales of Italian landscapes, while the whole milk sings a sweet lullaby of creaminess. The surprising twist, the Bolero in my salsa, comes from the Cardamom Pods. This wonder spice, sourced from South Asia, not only provides incredible aroma and warmth, but carries powerful health benefits, including promoting digestion and reducing blood pressure.
The Sweetness of Fruits
Completing the melange is the addition of dried apricots and orange zest, adding to the symphony of flavors an exquisite note that echoes in the palate. I adore this Cardamom Rice Pudding for these fruits; they add a dash of sunshine to the creamy dessert and the health benefits of fruits are a bonus. The chopped dried apricots provide a healthy dosage of vitamin C and fibre, while the zesty orange peel provides heart-healthy flavonoids and strong antioxidants.
And what’s best is that your chosen fresh fruits topping – whether berries, peaches, apples – add not just a splash of color but also an opportunity to customize this dessert to your liking. Pairing it with fresh berries can balance the sweetness with their tartness, while apples and pears can add a nice crunchy element to the comforting creaminess.
This Cardamom Rice Pudding seems to share a distant dance with the famous Spanish dessert Arroz Con Leche. The creamy texture, and aromatic infusion surely make these two a perfect pair at a theme party or an exotic menu night.
In my journey through cooking, from the queen of tapas to a swayer of tropical cocktails, it’s recipes like Cardamom Rice Pudding that make me truly appreciated the boundless possibilities of food culture. Whether I am in Miami, or dreaming of Spanish landscapes or wandering through South Asian markets, this simple yet versatile dessert always brings me back home..
What You’ll Need
- 1 cup Arborio rice
- 2 cups water
- 5 cups whole milk
- 3/4 cup white sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 9 cardamom pods
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup chopped dried apricots
- 2 tablespoons finely grated orange zest
- Your choice of fresh fruit for serving (e.g. berries, peaches, pears, apples…)
Method
Step One
Rinse Arborio rice under cold water until the water runs clear. This helps to remove any excess starch and prevents the grains from sticking together.
Step Two
Combine the rinsed rice and the 2 cups of water in a large pot. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat. Cook until the rice has absorbed all the water, this should take about 10 minutes.
Step Three
Add the whole milk, white sugar, salt and cardamom pods to the pot. Reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring frequently to prevent the rice from sticking to the bottom of the pot. Continue to cook until the mixture thickens and the rice is tender, this should take about 30 – 40 minutes.
Step Four
While the rice mixture is simmering, chop the dried apricots and grate the orange zest. Have it ready to be used.
Step Five
Once the rice is done, remove the pot from heat. Discard the cardamom pods and then stir in the pure vanilla extract, chopped apricots and orange zest.
Step Six
Serve your Cardamom Rice Pudding warm or transfer it into a dish and refrigerator to chill for at least 2 hours before serving. You can serve it with your choice of fresh fruit. Enjoy!
