I wanted to write about the Icelandic Rice Pudding (grjónagrautur) or otherwise know as the most simple but delicious rice pudding! I love making this rice pudding and do eat it frequently.

It is such a simple recipe with four basic ingredients. Rice, water, milk (and salt). The fourth ingredient is what ruins friendships, causes divorces and splits families. It is more controversial than pineapples on pizza. It is raisins.

The trick to make a great rice pudding is time, it needs a lot of time. At least an hour!

Ingredients:

• 2 dl short grain rice
• 2 dl water
• 1 litre whole milk
• 1 dl raisins (optional)
• pinch of salt

Preparation:

1. Boil water and rice until the water has evaporated (takes about 2-3 minutes)
2. Add 1/3 of the milk, the raisins, and stir. Make sure that the mix is simmering.
3. When the milk has mostly evaporated add 1/3 of the milk and stir.
4. Repeat! Add 1/3 of the milk and stir.
5. After it has been simmering for an hour the rice pudding has a creamy thick consistency and is ready!

I love eating rice pudding with some Icelandic liver sausage (lifrapylsa). But that is totally optional. Otherwise I simply sprinkle some cinnamon and sugar over it an just enjoy eating my delicious rice pudding.

What I love about this recipe is that the rice pudding is still soft and smooth a day later. So it is both delicious hot or cold!

-Katrin