Dylan's Lunchbox: Healthy Rice Pudding Recipe

Dylan here, and I already know what you’re thinking.  Wouldn’t it be magical if all healthy foods tasted as good as desserts did?  Well I’ve got a can of knowledge fresh from Dylan's Lunchbox that I’m ready to trade you for that PB&J you have there.

I’m ready to spill to you the perfect after dinner treat, and not only does it taste amazing, but it’s a really healthy dessert option.  I’m talking, of course, about rice pudding!

Rice Pudding... just the thought of it makes my stomach rumble. Store bought rice pudding is great. Ordering it from a turkish restaurant for dessert along with Baklava is also delicious. It is crazy to think about, really, that rice could be transformed into this outstanding and flavorful delicacy.

I had to make it myself. I wanted some homemade rice pudding, and a whole lot of it. I searched a bunch of recipes, but there was one that stood out to me in particular. As a part of the American Heart Associations Healthy Recipe Booklet, this spectacular rice pudding recipe was not only tasty, creamy, and as perfect as rice pudding should be; it was also healthy. Heart healthy, in particular, and I was very impressed.

Here is the recipe, as it is illustrated exactly in the American Heart Associations Healthy Recipe Booklet...

I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

WHAT YOU WILL NEED:

2 1/2 cups nonfat milk

1/2 cup of arborio rice uncooked

1 cup of nonfat milk

1 cinnamon stick (approx 3 inches long)

3 tablespoons of sugar

1 teaspoon of lemon zest

1/2 teaspoon of vanilla and ground cinnamon

WHAT TO DO - STEP BY STEP:

1. In a large saucepan, stir together the 2 1/2 cups of milk and rice. Bring to a boil. Remember to stir often. Heat should be on high.
2. Reduce heat to medium-high, and boil for 5-6 minutes- or until the mixture begins to thicken. Continue to stir.
3. Pour the other 1 cup of milk, cinnamon stick, sugar,  and lemon zest into the saucepan.
4. Increase the heat to high- again, and return to a boil...stirring occasionally.
5. Reduce the heat to medium-high and boil for 4-5 minutes or until creamy and soupy.
6. Remove from the heat.
7. Stir in the vanilla- then let the mixture sit for 30 minutes to thicken a bit.
8. Before serving, remove the cinnamon stick. Sprinkle the individual dishes of pudding with ground cinnamon if you wish- if not- that is okay too!

I want to hear how your recipes turn out, and let me know if you decide to add your own ingredients to the mix.  A little personal touch goes a long way.

Need more ideas on how to eat yummy and while staying healthy?  There are definitely some fresh ideas for you in last week’s Lunchbox where we looked at the amazing avocado!