Easy Rice Pudding

Ingredients

1/2 cup golden raisins
1 cup boiling water
1/3 cup slivered almonds
3 1/2 cups cooked medium or long-grain rice, at room temperature
2 1/2 cups milk
2 1/2 cups heavy cream
2/3 cup sugar
Pinch salt
2 teaspoons finely grated orange zest
1 1/4 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
1/4 teaspoon ground fennel seeds

Instructions

In a bowl, place the raisins and cover with the water. Let sit until plumped, 5 minutes. Drain.

In a skillet over medium heat, toast the almonds until golden and fragrant, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from the heat.

In a large saucepan, combine the rice, milk, cream, sugar and salt. Bring to a simmer, stirring, over medium heat. Reduce the heat slightly to maintain a low simmer and cook uncovered, stirring frequently, until the mixture starts to thicken, about 30 minutes. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally to prevent the rice from sticking, until a spoon is just able to stand up in the pudding, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the raisins, almonds, and remaining ingredients.

Yield: 6 servings