Who knew there is a national rice pudding day? Rice pudding was one of my favorite treats growing up. In Panama, rice pudding is made to celebrate the emergence of a baby’s first tooth. The baby’s grandmother or mother will make a huge batch, package it in in small baby bottles, and shared with family and friends. The irony lies in that the rice pudding is not for the baby, as usually it contains rum soaked raisins.
Instead of making the traditional rice pudding I grew up with which I now make in my InstantPot, I tried out this recipe for rice pudding paletas from Saveur. I substituted one cup of the milk with half and half for added creaminess, and froze the mixture in silicone canelé molds instead of ice-pop molds. The rice pudding is equally delicious warm or refrigerated.
One Vanilla Bean 