Easy Creamy Rice Pudding! Mom's recipe!

I love rice pudding and I am not too particular what type it is but if you prefer creamy rice pudding instead of custard rice pudding then you must try my Mom's recipe. 

All Aldi ingredients.  Even the whipped cream.  It’s better than any other brand.

I make both creamy and custard rice pudding.  Our grandchildren love it too.  It is a very easy recipe and is so creamy, sweet and tasty.  We love to eat it while it is still warm many days and Mom sometimes would pour apricot nectar on it or you can do as I do and top it with real whipped cream.

Allow yourself some time to make this because the rice has to cook and you have to cook it on medium heat.  Allow yourself at least an hour and keep stirring so it won't stick to the pot.  

 No rushing this super delicious recipe.  It's worth the wait!

1 half gallon whole milk
1 cup sugar
1 cup long grain rice
pinch of salt optional
cinnamon optional


Note:  To speed up the process you can heat up your milk slightly about 3 to 5 minutes in a large microwaveable bowl and then pour into rice, sugar mixture. Stir well.

 Put milk in pot on low heat. Add sugar and rice and stir until sugar is completely dissolved.

Note:   ( I usually let it set on stove for 5 to 10 minutes before putting on heat).

Cook slowly over medium heat stirring constantly so it will not stick to the bottom of the pot.  Once it starts to boil turn heat down to low and continue to cook until it starts to thicken and rice is tender.  Remove from heat,  place in large bowl and allow to cool. ***I do like it warm.

It will thicken more as it cools.  If too thick add a little milk to thin.

“Crockpot method”!

Same recipe but I suggest you cut back on rice to 3/4 cup , add a pinch of salt and 2 tablespoons butter. I used unsalted butter that I had on hand.

I cooked it on high for 2 or 2 1/2 Hours. Stir it once while it’s cooking.  Watch time.  You may want to stop at 2 hours, leave lid on and allow to set.  Then stir slightly.

It will thicken as it cools.

***I taste tested it hot.  It’s delicious.  Now to see how it tastes and thickens when cooled!!!

iliketobakeandcookblog

Cook on medium to high heat making sure not to allow rice to stick to bottom and burn. It will start to steam and bubble. 

Turn heat to low and let simmer slowly.  Takes about 1 hour from start to finish.   Place in large bowl to cool and then cover and refrigerate.  I doubt there will be much left of this delicious recipe.  Sprinkle with cinnamon if you like.

It is yummy!!

  P.S. Make sure you use whole milk, no substitutions or it will not thicken.

  Happy Cooking!, 

2/17/12
10/7/13
9/16/15

Pasta with sausage, tomatoes and broccolini

One of the nicest things about having old friends visit is that they don't expect any kind of fuss with a meal. Today we had some high school friends visit which was wonderful.  The meal I prepared worked out really well and was not time consuming.  You can cook your sausage and broccolini ahead of time which makes this meal very easy so you can enjoy your company.

A simple but easy meal is the one I have below.  Good sausage really helps make it flavorful.  I used rigatoni but suggest penne as a better option.

I felt there was too much pasta and it overtook the wonderful sausage and broccolini so a smaller pasta I think would work better.  Also make sure you save some of the pasta water that you cook your pasta in.  You may need it to moisten your dish.  Too much pasta tends to dry out quickly.  Having said that I think you'll enjoy this recipe.  






1 lb. Fresh Mild or Hot Ground Sausage
1 lb rigatoni or penne
1 head broccoli rabe ( you may need two heads or use regular broccoli but separate in small florets)
1 large tomato, diced or 1 carton sliced in half cherry tomatoes
6 cloves of peeled garlic, crushed
4 oz olive oil
3/4 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese
salt and pepper, to taste

Directions:
Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add 2 tablespoons of salt. Drop in pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/2  to 1 cup of pasta water.

In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil set over high heat. Place the sausage in the pan and cook for 4-5 minutes. Remove sausage and set aside on paper towel-lined dish.

Either steam or cook broccoli florets in boiling salt water about 1-2 minutes with 2 tablespoons of salt. Transfer florets to bowl of ice water and once ice melts, drain and set aside. (you can use regular broccoli if broccolini isn't available).

Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in sauté pan until hot. Add the crushed garlic cloves and sauté until slightly golden being careful not to burn, add sausage, broccoli rabe and tomatoes. Saute and toss for 2-3 minutes.

Add pasta to the pan with the Pecorini Romano cheese, half of the reserved pasta water, salt and pepper. Toss for 1-2 minutes until ingredients are integrated. If pasta seems dry, add more of the pasta water as needed.

Garnish with a handful of grated cheese.

Enjoy!

Happy Cooking from my kitchen to yours,

Chunky Chili

Hi everyone:

Today's a chilly day so although I don't have my usual ingredients for my basic chili I'm using what I have in my pantry.

I love Aldi's and use a lot of their products.  When I was there last week I bought several cans of diced tomatoes just in case.  I do a lot with diced tomatoes. they are really useful in a lot of recipes.

Years ago I probably would have never picked up a can because the kids and hubby didn't like chunky sauce.  I wish I hadn't succumbed and gave in because they really make a great add in to so many meals and you can't get good fresh tomatoes all year.

Today's recipe consisted of 

1 1/4 lb. ground beef
1 medium diced onion
1-15 oz. can fire roasted diced tomatoes
1 - 15 oz. can diced tomatoes
2 T chili powder
1 -15 oz. can dark kidney beans drained and rinsed
salt and pepper

I browned my meat and onion in approximately 2 T olive oil with some salt and pepper.  Cook it until all meat was light brown in color.  I then drained any visible fat drippings, add your tomatoes and chili powder.  Cover slightly and simmer until tomatoes start to cook a little.  Add drained kidney beans and cook approximately 1/2 hour.

Happy Cooking from my kitchen to yours,

Baked Chicken with Salsa and Cheese

Hi everyone,

I've been making very easy recipes for the last week and today I'm on another roll.

My newest passion in the line of yummy ingredients is Salsa...................It is a go to save when you don't know what to make.  It has everything in it to make a yummy meal.  Of course you must like salsa.  My newest love is Mango/ peach salsa.  Costco sells a huge jar and besides using it for a party dip it really adds a lot of flavor to most meats.

Last week I used it in my crockpot with pork chops and our meal was fabulous.  Now I'm using it with boneless thin chicken breasts and baking them. I think the list can go on with this fabulous salsa.

**Just a note about this particular dish. I ate it for the first time at a friends and couldn't wait to make it again. She likes to make easy meals too!!!

Here's what the recipe consisted of:

2 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts
pinch of salt and pepper
2 cups salsa or more
shredded mild cheddar cheese

In a 9 x12 or larger  baking dish place some of the salsa.  Layer your chicken. Top with more salsa.

Bake 350 degrees about 20  to 30 minutes. Remove from oven.  Top with cheese and bake approximate 10 minutes more or until cheese has melted.

Serve with a few sauteed fresh veggies and wow you have a light healthy and delicious quick meal.

Crockpot Balsamic Pork Tenderloin

Mashed potatoes and fresh homegrown tomato with red onion.  YUM

I had lots to do today and it was a day I didn't want to take the time to fuss so yep it was a crockpot kind of day.

Off to an appointment in the a.m. and then to help with a project at our clubhouse so this was the ideal time to try a new recipe.  Quite honestly I don't know where it came from but I did have another recipe that I made ages ago so this one is different.  The other recipe you used cranberry sauce in it.  This one you do not.

First  Putting the rub was no trouble at all since I had all the necessary spices and had got a good deal on pork tenderloin (buy one get one free). Can't beat that.  Two tenderloins in a package and the recipe called for 2 lbs. of pork tenderloin so I was good to go!

The pork was prepped in literately 3 minutes and into the crockpot to cook for 3 hours on high.

Here is the recipe for you to enjoy!  I adapted it slightly to what I had available as far as spices and it was delicious.  I served it warm but no problem making a cold sandwich with this.  It is perfect!

1 tsp. dried thyme
1tsp. pepper
1 tsp. salt
3 T dried minced onion
1 T olive oil
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar divided
2 cloves minced garlic
2 lb. pork tenderloin


Mix the first five ingredients together in a bowl.  Rub or roll the tenderloin or tenderloins in the dry mixture.

In a large pan place oil, 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar and garlic.  Heat over medium heat until starts to sizzle.  Add pork to pan and sear on each side to brown.

Lower heat.  Transfer pork to crockpot.

Pour remaining balsamic into pan and continue to stir for a few minutes to de-glaze pan.  Pour juices over tenderloin in crockpot.

Cook on high for approximately 3 hours.  Mine was done in that time and perfect.

I took the pork out of the crockpot and let rest for five to ten minutes so that it will slice easily.  I use a serrated knife.

Serve or return slices to crockpot where you can keep the pork warm in the juices. Lots of juice or if not enough, add a little water and stir.  I drizzed some over my potatoes....YUMMY

9/10/15