Milchreis (German Rice Pudding)

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups (300g) short-grain rice (special "Milchreis" rice or risotto rice such as arborio)
• 6 1/2 cups (1560ml) milk
• 1/3 cup (70g) sugar (or to taste)
• 1 tablespoon vanilla sugar (or regular sugar + 2 ts vanilla extract)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• big pinch of salt
• 2 tablespoons (30g) butter
• cinnamon + sugar (to your liking)
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1.5 lbs (1350g) apples
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 pounds (900g) frozen mixed berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, red and black currants, blackberries)
• 1/2 cup (100g) sugar (or to your taste)
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup (35g) corn starch
• 1/3 cup (80ml) cold water

Instructions

1. 1

   --- Make rice pudding: ---

2. 2

   Add all the ingredients except butter to a large heavy-bottomed pot (rice, milk, sugar, vanilla sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt).

3. 3

   Bring to a boil then cook over low heat for about 25-30 minutes (uncovered) or until the rice has absorbed the milk and it´s soft. If using arborio rice (risotto rice) it can take 30-40 minutes and you will need about 1/2 cup more milk.

4. 4

   You need to stir it from time to time at the beginning and very often at the end of the cooking time - be careful not to burn the rice (that´s also why a heavy-bottomed pot is really important).

5. 5

   When the rice is done it should be soft but a little bit too runny - it will thicken considerably while cooling.

6. 6

   Stir in butter until melted.

7. 7

   Enjoy with toppings of your choice.

8. 8

   --- Cinnamon sugar topping: ---

9. 9

   Sprinkle your Milchreis with sugar and cinnamon to your liking. You could also drizzle it with more melted butter.

10. 10

    --- Cinnamon apples: ---

11. 11

    Prepare the apples: Peel the apples, cut them into quarters, cut out the cores, cut the apples into small cubes.

12. 12

    Cook the apples: Melt the butter in a large frying pan over high heat. When hot add the apples. Don’t stir for the first 2 minutes then add all the other ingredients (cinnamon, vanilla, lemon juice, sugar). Stir everything together.

13. 13

    Cook the apples, stirring from time to time, until the apples are soft but not falling apart. It can take anywhere from 5-20 minutes. The cooking time will depend on how soft the apples are and if they are overcrowded in the pan. If the apples start to look too dry add some more water to the pan, it should make a delicious sauce with the apple juices.

14. 14

    --- Berry compote: ---

15. 15

    Add berries, sugar, and vanilla to a large pot.

16. 16

    Make corn starch slurry - stir cold water with corn starch until dissolved.

17. 17

    Add corn starch slurry to the pot.

18. 18

    Heat over low heat until all the berries are thawed. Bring to a boil then cook for a couple minutes, stirring until thickened. It should be nice and thick but still pourable. It will also thicken more while cooling.

19. 19

    Pour berry compote over the rice pudding.

20. 20

    Enjoy!