Aromatic Rice Pudding

Near the end of our time in Calcutta, the evenings grew cool, and one day Gita produced this rich-tasting pudding for dessert. It was a huge hit with children and adults alike, a stovetop rice pudding, made with milk that is cooked down and thickened, then sweetened with palm sugar. Gita used gobindavog rice, crushing it to break it slightly before cooking, for a softer texture. You can substitute basmati or long-grain American (non-parboiled) rice.

The pudding is mildly perfumed wi