Dairy-Free Chai Rice Pudding

Ingredients

• 1 cup Arborio rice (sushi rice, or short grain brown rice)
• 2 cups water
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 1 star anise
• 3 to 4 thin slices fresh ginger
• 6 to 8 green cardamom pods
• 8 whole black peppercorns
• 6 whole cloves
• 6 whole allspice berries
• 1 to 2 cups cooked adzuki beans (as desired)
• 2 to 3 cups unsweetened plain or vanilla dairy-free milk beverage (as needed)
• 1/4 to 1/2 cup maple syrup (to taste)
• Pinch salt
• Ground cinnamon (for garnish)
• Sliced almonds or chopped cashews (for garnish (optional, omit for nut-free))

Instructions

1. 1

   Place the rice and water in a heavy-bottomed pan.

2. 2

   Put the cinnamon sticks, star anise, ginger, cardamom, peppercorns, cloves, and allspice berries in a loose spice bag, close and place the bag in the pot.

3. 3

   Set the pot over medium heat, cover, and bring the water to a boil.

4. 4

   Remove the lid and add the adzuki beans. Continue to cook, and check in to stir often.

5. 5

   When the water is absorbed, lower the heat and add the milk beverage gradually, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring from time to time until the milk alternative is all absorbed.

6. 6

   Remove the spice bag and large spices.

7. 7

   Stir in the maple syrup and salt.

8. 8

   Serve the pudding topped with a dusting of cinnamon and nuts, if desired.