Rice Pudding with Dried Cherries and Vanilla Recipe

Serves 6.

INGREDIENTS

1/3cup dried tart cherries 4 1/2cups low-fat (1%) milk

2/3cup long-grain white rice

1/3cup sugar

13×1-inch orange peel strip (orange part only)

generous pinch of salt

1 1/2teaspoons vanilla extract

additional low-fat (1%) milk (optional)

DIRECTIONS

Place cherries in small bowl. Cover with hot water. Let stand 15 minutes. Drain.

Combine milk, rice, sugar, orange peel and salt in heavy medium saucepan. Bring to simmer over medium heat, stirring often. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer gently uncovered until rice is very tender and pudding is creamy, stirring occasionally, about 30 minutes. Mix in cherries and vanilla. Divide among 6 custard cups. Cool. (Can be made 6 hours ahead. Cover; chill.) Serve chilled or at room temperature, passing additional milk to stir into pudding, if desired.

Tags: Cherries, Dried, Pudding, Rice, Vanilla