Rice Puddings

Wherever there is rice, there is rice pudding: from the schoolrooms of England to the breakfast tables of Asia. Rice puddings can be baked on the stovetop or in the oven, with flavourings often suited to the particular country or region. In countries with a strong Spanish influence, rice pudding is flavoured with cinnamon and citrus zest. In Thailand there is a sweet, sticky version using black or jasmine rice and coconut milk. And India has its own rice pudding, kheer, spiced with cardamom, topped with almonds and sultanas, and decorated with gold or silver leaf for special occasions.