Dazz Switalla Flavour Secrets No.1 The Strand Chef www.no1thestrand.co.nz

We know its winter when the snow starts falling and we start to see pictures on the television news of the sheep bleating about the snow on their back. Thankfully, that is further south, as I am still picking my basil.

Even with Tauranga having such a temperate climate, I know eventually the winter vegetables will dominate the garden.
In the colder weather a lot of us like to warm ourselves with soup and other one-pot wonders.
Rice puddings are made all over the world – some are baked and some are boiled in milk. Often they are flavoured with cinnamon, cardamom, pistachio, vanilla, raisins and dates, with some countries having many variations.
The rice can be sweetened with sugar, honey, sweetened condensed milk and fruit syrups.
This week, I have a simple, warming rice pudding – and it is something you can put together without too much effort. It's also a great reward after working outside on a chilly day.

Rice pudding

Serves four

Ingredients
2 and ½ cups whole milk
70g short grain white rice
Pinch of salt
1 egg
¼ cup dark brown sugar
1 vanilla pod, split
¼ tsp cinnamon
½ cup raisins (plumped up in a little hot water and brown sugar). These can also be soaked in rum, if desired.

Method
In a medium size, heavy bottom saucepan, bring the milk, rice and salt and the split, scraped vanilla pod to the boil over a high heat.
Reduce to a simmer and keep stirring to prevent rice sticking.
Cook for about 25 minutes until rice is tender.
In a small bowl, whisk together egg and brown sugar until well mixed. Add half a cup of the hot rice mixture (remove vanilla pods sticks) and whisk vigorously to incorporate.
Now, add this mixture back into the pot and cook while stirring on a low heat for five to eight minutes until the mixture thickens.
Do not allow it to boil. Add the raisins and cinnamon, and then serve hot or cold.
Sprinkle with extra cinnamon.
Rum-soaked raisins is one my favourite toppings but even diced Russian fudge is great with this dessert.