The Proof is in the...(OUTSPOKEN_DIVA's Favorite Recipes)

I was reminded of a nursery rhyme a few days ago.

Pease pudding hot, pease porridge cold,

Pease pudding in the pot, nine days old;

Some like it hot, some like it cold,

Some like it in the pot, nine days old

Many cultures around the globe eat pudding. Pudding can be either a dessert or a savory dish. And yes, some like pudding hot or cold. But unlike in the 1700s, nothing tastes that grand to eat safely after 9 days. I would call that CDC Warning Pudding. In America, pudding is usually a rich creamy dessert similar to custard or mousse. And we eat it warm or cool.

If you love Banana Pudding and came here because you just knew I was going to have a kick-butt recipe, yeah that's not going happen. I'm not a fan of banana or anything that taste like it. Over a decade ago at an event for my friend, Pink Red, her mom served Cookie Pudding and I liked it. I never knew anyone care so much about the people who don't like bananas. Well, because most people only serve it with bananas. Recently, I wanted to make some so I went on a search and found a nice recipe.

Cookie Pudding

Ingredients

• 2-3/4 cups cold milk
• 1 package (5.1 ounces) instant vanilla pudding mix
• 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
• 1 carton (12 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed
• 3 cups crushed vanilla wafers
• 15 whole vanilla wafers

Directions

1. In a large bowl, whisk milk and pudding mix for 2 minutes. Let stand for 15 minutes
2. Fold in condensed milk. 
3. Set aside 1 tablespoon whipped topping. Fold remaining whipped topping into pudding.
4. In a 3-qt. serving bowl, layer wafer crumbs and pudding mixture. 
5. Repeat layers twice. 
6. Top with whole wafers. 
7. Refrigerate until serving.

The first time I had ever heard of Rice Pudding was while watching the movie, Heartburn as a child. In the movie Heartburn, Meryl Streep’s character was in the hospital and someone smuggled in a bowl and she swooned at the sight of it. I understand the swooning. It is delicious, but the calories in it are high. 142 Kcals are in a half of cup of the dessert. So over the years, I've learned to lighten it with Brown Rice Pudding recipe with only 59 Kcals in a 1/2 cup.

Brown Rice Pudding

Ingredients

• 4 cups water
• 2 cups long grain brown rice
• 1 ½ cups almond milk
• ¼ cup honey
• Pinch of salt
• 1 tbsp unsalted butter
• ½ tsp vanilla
• 1 tbsp cinnamon
• 1/2 cup raisins
  

Directions

1. Bring water to boil and add rice. Cover pot and reduce heat to simmer. Stir occasionally and allow all of the water to be absorbed roughly 25 minutes.
2. Stir in milk and other ingredients. Simmer for another 5 minutes and stir continuously. The rice pudding should become thick.
3. Serve the pudding warm or cold depending on your preference. 
4. Add cinnamon, nuts, etc. right before you eat it!
5. Store remaining contents in the fridge.

Like the proverb, the only way to find out if these puddings please your palate is to taste them. Let me know in the comments.

Oh before you ask, Pease Pudding is made with yellow peas and served with ham. If you like that dish, leave your "proof" in the comment also. Now, I want some rice pudding. Might make one.

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms