August 9th is National Rice Pudding Day. Cold and creamy, rice pudding is fine hot-weather fare and great year-round comfort food.

It can also be glamorous! Here are six ways to raise your rice pudding recipe to fine-restaurant status.

Try all of them to decide what you think makes the best rice pudding recipe. And as a bonus, check out the rice pudding recipes > below.

TIP: You can find great rice pudding in 15 flavors at from Rice To Riches. See photo #6 below.

But first:

> The year’s 17 pudding and custard holidays.

> The history of pudding.

> The history of rice pudding

> The different types of rice.

> The history of rice.

> Below: more rice pudding recipes.
 
 
HOW TO MAKE RICE PUDDING AN ELEGANT DESSERT

1. Spirits: Soak the raisins in Armagnac, Grand Marnier, or other favorite liqueur.

2. Other Dried Fruits: Think beyond raisins: Create a medley of small dried fruits that includes raisins as well as dried blueberries, cherries, cranberries, currants and sultanas (golden raisins).

3. Specialty Rice: Try a different rice such as elegant, long-grained basmati and jasmine or short, oval, arborio (used for risotto).

4. Coconut Milk: Use coconut milk with black rice or red rice for a Thai rice pudding.

5. Garnishes: See the wealth of ideas in the footnote* below.

6. Serveware: Serve the pudding in a Martini glass or other glam dessert dish.

 
 
MORE RICE PUDDING RECIPES

 
 
 

[5] Rice Pudding Brûlée: Add a crackly crème brûlée topping to rice pudding. Here’s the recipe (photo © Taste Of Home).

[2] A sophisticated addition: Soak the raisins in orange liqueur, spiced rum, or other favorite spirit (photo © South Beach Liquor Store).

[3] Thai rice pudding made with black sticky rice and coconut milk. Here’s the recipe (photo © Briana’s Kitchen Creations).

[4] Serve in a wine or cocktail glass. This recipe, Cinnamon Rice Pudding, is vegan. Here’s the recipe Here’s the recipe (photo © Recipes Worth Repeating).

________________
 
*There are numerous interesting garnishes for rice pudding. The key is balancing the creamy, mild rice pudding with something that adds either crunch, brightness, or complementary flavors. Some ideas:

> Fruits Beyond Fresh Berries: caramelized banana slices with a touch of rum, fresh fig slices with a honey drizzle, diced dried fruit mix marinated in liqueur or rum, toasted coconut flakes.

> International Flair: chopped or whole pistachios with candied rose petals or a dab of rose syrup (Persian), dulce de leche with toasted almonds (Latin American), matcha powder with black sesame seeds (Japanese), toasted sesame seeds with a drizzle of tahini (Middle Eastern).

> Nuts & Seeds: candied pecans or walnuts with maple syrup (recipe), mixed salted nuts, spiced pumpkin seedds (check out Superseedz), and for the holidays, chopped plain or candied chestnuts with dried cranberries (you can also substitute dried cranberries for the raisins in the rice pudding recipe).

> Sweet & Spicy: apple chips with cinnamon sugar, chopped dates with a sprinkle of cardamom, poached figs or plums with star anise, shortbread cookie with lavender honey, whipped cream with chai spice or five spices (recipes).

> Textural Contrasts: crushed amaretti, gingersnap, or meringue cookies; candied orange peel (recipe); crushed honeycomb or sesame candy pieces; toasted brioche crumbs.
 
 

CHECK OUT WHAT’S HAPPENING ON OUR HOME PAGE, THENIBBLE.COM.