Christmas Rice Pudding (Julgrot)

Submitted by Irene Hauner

From the Recipe Book: Sweden's Regional Recipes

This is a rice pudding that is traditionally served at Christmas. Swedish tradition says that a bowl of this sweetened pudding is left outside on Christmas Eve for the elf to say thank you for his help around the house throughout the year. If the mischievous elf is not given his Christmas treat, he may wreck havoc on the family in the coming year. A whole almond is hidden in the pudding before serving. The lucky person who finds it will see their dreams come true in the year ahead.

Ingredients

2 quarts water

1 cup uncooked rice

2 tbsp butter or margarine

5 cups milk

1 tsp salt

2 tbsp sugar

1 blanched, whole almond

cinnamon and sugar

Directions

Bring the water to a boil; add the rice, stir, and allow to simmer for about 2 minutes. Drain off the water and add the butter. Pour the milk into a double boiler; stir in the salt and sugar and add the rice. Cover. Cook about 2 hours, or until rice is tender and milk is absorbed. Do not stir.

Stir in the single almond. pour pudding into individual serving dishes. (The almond should not be visible.) Sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar. Serve warm or cold, with milk. Serves 8.

We also like this dish with a 1/2 cup of raisins.