I was introduced to rice pudding relatively late in life. Growing up, my mother had (still has?) a somewhat limited dessert repertoire, which included fruit pie, assorted cobblers, and something called indian pudding, which I have never seen outside of New England. Come to think of it, it’s been forever since I had indian pudding, I may need to add a few things to the grocery list. It’s comfort in a bowl a la mode my friends.
But back to the topic at hand. As you can see, rice pudding wasn’t on the menu, and since it doesn’t exactly have great word of mouth, it’s not something which I actively sought out after I was out of the house.
But then I moved to Germany, and around here it seems to pop up with a bit more regularity. I remember being out to lunch with my husband one day, at a place which sells fresh sandwiches and salads to hungry corporate types without a lot of time. I picked up my standard order, a falafel sandwich – extra scharf, and he picked up his standard order and threw in a rice pudding.
Apparently, for him, it’s his indian pudding, it’s his comfort food. I was curious, having never encountered rice pudding before. It had a simple cinnamon-sugar topping and nothing else. And, do you know what, it wasn’t the horror which I had always heard about. In fact, it was tasty. Who knew?
It turns out that the homemade version is even better. This week’s French Fridays with Dorie recipe had us topping our rice pudding with a caramel apple sauce. I also happened to have some leftover caramel from last month’s floating islands (though I didn’t remember that part until after I’d taken the pictures). Even the German liked it.
one expat's life 
So glad this was a hit. We missed you like crazy at the IFBC. Hope another FFwD gathering will coincide with a visit to the states for you!
Now I have to look up Indian pudding because I never heard of it before.. Your
pudding looks delicious, Hubby and I both loved the rice pudding but not the apples.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Who knew indeed? I was certainly surprised that I liked this as much as I did!
My husband loves his rice pudding (kheer, I believe it’s called). I’m not a huge fan…to sweet for me. This version looks a lot more my speed!
I never heard of Indian Pudding. Intriguing. I never knew rice pudding had such a bad rep until this week. I love it. Always have. It’s one of the few desserts my mom DID make. Glad you liked this. I didn’t get to it yet.
I haven’t had Indian Pudding in years!! Nothing like rice pudding but tasty!! As was this rice pudding.
Glad you discovered a new / old dessert to enjoy. I didn’t grow up with it either, but have been making it for years. Your comment about my pantry is still cracking me up. We missed you in Seattle, but we talked about an East Coast gathering. As Liz says, maybe we can coordinate it with a visit home for you.
I’m glad it was a hit with both the expert and the newbie! I have never heard of Indian Pudding, but I grew up on the other side of the country.
I was just looking through one of my cookbooks (Moosewood Restaurant Book of Desserts) and I ran across a recipe for Indian Pudding! Now I know what it is!
Rose, your rice pudding with the caramel apples looks so nice and creamy – truly comfort food at its best!
Hope life is treating you well this week!
Homemade rice pudding is one of my favorites (without the raisins, of course!)
I think its one of those love it or leave it desserts…
I love when we all try things that we have heard “terrible” things about for as long as we can remember to find that we either had been eating it for years anyways and didnt know OR find that its actually something you like and may even love… 🙂
Oh my! Indian Pudding sounds amazing but this is fab too!
Now I need to look up Indian pudding. I’m curious. I’m glad you enjoyed this one. I love the glasses you served it in.
I am hoping that after Nana looks up the Indian pudding – she makes some and shares it !!! So interesting to find out how heavily the Europeans grew up on this while I though (presumptuous American….) that it got a lot of play in the states. That said, I have had this numerous times and enjoy it and tapioca pudding, but never made it myself. And adventure for sure. And my hubby loved it as well. PS- we did miss you indeed at that IFBC. Looking forward to meeting you at some other venue in the future ! Tricia
Rice pudding is delicious!!! So glad that you have now discovered it.
I had to stop and google Indian Pudding. Sounds interesting and like something we might like. I’ll have to try it this fll sometime. Your rice pudding looks delicious! So glad the German liked it:)
I’ve always loved rice pudding, but I think it’s because my mother made it well. I’ve had a few not-so-good versions and understand now why some hate it. I finally made this dish and loved it. The caramel apples needed a little work, but that’s research I’m willing to undertake. From what I could gather from Google, your mother’s pudding is a cornmeal version of hasty pudding – sounds delicious!