Creamy Cranberry Rice Pudding


This is a super easy comfort food and you don't even need leftover rice:) The arborio rice (Italian style rice) is starchy and makes it creamy tasting but uses only 1% milk. Perfect for lunch boxes! Use the 1/2 cup mason jars, they are awesome for snack sized treats and they don't leak.

Serves: 6
Ready In: 45 minutes
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
Stand Time: 15 minutes
Refrigerate Time: 1-24 hours

Ingredients:
1 cup (250 mL) rice
4 cups (1 L) 1% milk
2 cups (500 mL) water
1/2 cup (125 mL) chopped dried fruit (cranberries, dates, currants)
2 tbsp (25 mL) pure maple syrup
1 tsp (5 mL) each: vanilla and cinnamon

Cooking Instructions:
In medium saucepan, combine rice, milk and water and dried fruit; heat over medium-high until boiling about 10 minutes, reduce heat to low and simmer stirring frequently until thickened, about 25-30 minutes.
Remove from heat, add maple syrup, vanilla and cinnamon, let stand 15 minutes then refrigerate for 1 hour or until chilled.
Note: If pudding becomes too thick, stir in milk or yogurt.