Those late night cravings

The day began innocently enough.  I played with the baby, had a healthy breakfast, read a few blogs, stumbled across some wicked recipes, got on my bike and peddled around the park to get the images of such food from my mind, came back to one recipe, decided I should try it out, got the groceries, made the soup for dinner (hey, I exercised.  why not?), sat on couch with hubby when BLAM the craving for Rice Pudding popped into my brain and out of my mouth~

Me: I have a craving for Rice Pudding
Husband:  Oooh. Rice Pudding. Yeah, that sounds good.  Why don't you go to the store and get some?
Me: It's too late, I'm not going to the store now.
Husband: *silence*
Me: Ugh.  I'll just make some.
Husband:  Your the best wife in the...
Me: It's late.  You might as well go to bed, this is gonna take awhile.
Hubs: Ughh.  I guess-

So there I go at 11:00 p.m. making Rice Pudding which really doesn't take that long, but he gets up really early and I kinda wanted the computer to myself :)  The soup, by the way, was killer.  If you like corn and crab, this chowder is for you.  Tell Marguerite the Kitchen Witch sent you over : )

So for all you late night snackers.  Here 'tis

Rice Pudding

3/4 cup white rice (med. grain is what I use)
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 qt. milk (that's 4 cups)
1 (14 oz.) can evaporated milk
1 tsp. vanilla extract
3 Tbsp. cornstarch dissolved in 3 Tbsp. water
Raisins and Cinnamon, optional

In a large pot, cook rice according to package directions.  Add remaining ingredients except cornstarch dissolved in water.  Let simmer for 20 minutes, stirring often to ensure rice doesn't stick to the bottom of the pan.  Dissolve cornstarch in 3 tablespoons of water and add to rice mixture, mixing it in well.  Simmer for 20 minutes longer and this is the important part, don't get all caught up in reading your blogs or books or gossip mags...stir often, otherwise the milk will boil up and spill over the pan and the rice will burn to the bottom of the pot.  This comes from my own experience ; )  Cool before serving.  Though, I can hardly ever wait.  You can stir in cinnamon or raisins or both, if you like, but not necessary. 

This was my grandma Lue's recipe.  I love her and miss her on a daily basis.  Making this reminds me of staying up late nights with her and conjuring up yummy things I'd never heard of before, like rice pudding.  Love you, Grandma, thanks for the recipe!

I'm participating in "Foodie Friday" @ Designs by Gollum.  Join in the fun at: http://www.designsbygollum.blogspot.com/.  I'm also sharing at Ekat's Kitchen for her Friday Potluck @ http://www.ekatskitchen.com/2011/01/friday-potluck-17-january-7th-take-2.html