Image by: Kristin Rosenau
What is the matter with Mary Jane?
She’s crying with all her might and main,
And she won’t eat her dinner – rice pudding again –
What is the matter with Mary Jane?
What is the matter with Mary Jane?
I’ve promised her dolls and a daisy-chain,
And a book about animals – all in vain –
What is the matter with Mary Jane?
What is the matter with Mary Jane?
She’s perfectly well, and she hasn’t a pain;
But, look at her, now she’s beginning again! –
What is the matter with Mary Jane?
What is the matter with Mary Jane?
I’ve promised her sweets and a ride in the train,
And I’ve begged her to stop for a bit and explain –
What is the matter with Mary Jane?
What is the matter with Mary Jane?
She’s perfectly well and she hasn’t a pain,
And it’s lovely rice pudding for dinner again!
What is the matter with Mary Jane?
Food has always been a centrical part of my life, my mother was a single parent and I have only seen my father a few times over the years, most of which were negative experiences. But there were a couple of good times in which he shared his recipe of Puerto-Rican styled rice pudding for me and my sisters to devour. It is the only good memory that I have of my relationship with my father. Anyway, I lost track of this as time passed and the hurt that I endured in the small extent of my life with him. I began to hate the simple idea of any food that reminded me of him. It would simply reignite the flames of pain that he caused; the lies, the broken promises, and the absence. But I realized that all the hurt that I had dealt with had helped me to become stronger than I had ever been because I overcame the hurt. But by not enjoying the things that I had thoroughly enjoyed because of who it reminded me of only stopped me from living while he continued to enjoy his life.
I decided to challenge myself this summer in terms of making all different kinds of desserts and truly enjoying the sanctity of that. Whether named arroz con leche, kheer, and riz au lait; rice pudding can be prepared in so many different ways but all are delicious in their own way. I have decided to share this recipe below with all my readers so everyone can experience this beautifully delicious dish.
Rice Pudding
Image by: Amelia PS
Ingredients:
3/4 cup Arborio rice, rinsed
6 cups whole milk
1/2 vanilla bean, split and scraped
1/2 cup sugar
Pinch of salt
1/4 cup heavy cream
Directions:
In a medium saucepan, combine rice, milk, vanilla bean and seeds, sugar, and salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat; reduce heat and simmer, stirring frequently, until rice is tender and liquid has absorbed, about 40 to 45 minutes.
Remove vanilla bean; stir in heavy cream. Rice pudding may be served at room temperature or chilled.
Adapted by Martha Stewart
