2.19.2013

Risotto Pudding Cake


Do you have any of  Sophie Dahl's cookbooks? You really should. They are treasure troves and what's best is they're easy, casual recipes, not complicated for the most part, and the flavors are wonderful. As I get older, I want less complicated. I don't mind fussing once in a while, especially for good friends and family visits, but I DO have a life outside the kitchen and blogging (and Pinterest). Don't we all?

Sophie's cookbooks are rather cozy, much like a family cookbook and with each recipe, she briefly connects them to warm memories of family, travels and friends.
This risotto cake is a great example. Comforting, and yes, very much like rice pudding, but it's the Italian version. Sophie said she learned the recipe watching a mother in Sorrento making it for her family. Love the orange zest and almonds and really, it would be a treat to serve to company. Looks elegant and doesn't everyone love rice pudding? You've got to have those amaretti cookies though, they make the dish.

Sophie Dahl's Risotto Pudding Cake

From Very Fond of Food by Sophie Dahl




Ingredients:
4 cups milk
3/4 cup Arborio rice
Grated zest of one orange, plus extra to decorate
1/2 cup superfine sugar
3 eggs
2 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup raisins
1/2 cup sliced almonds
1/2 cup tablespoons amaretti biscuits, crushed

Method:
Preheat oven to 325
Mix the milk, rice and orange zest in a pan. Cook over low heat, stirring frequently, until the rice has absorbed the milk. It took me about 1/2 hour.
Cool the rice mixture.
When cool, beat the eggs and sugar and add to the rice.
Butter a 9 inch springform pan and cover the bottom with crushed amaretti biscuits. Pour the rice mixture in and bake for about 45 minutes or until the top is golden. Let cool for one hour. Serve with crushed amaretto biscuits and orange zest. Tastes even better after it's refrigerated.





28 comments:

  1. That does look good, Barbara. I love rice pudding and make it fairly often in small portions with leftover rice, cinnamon and raisins. The orange is a great idea as are the amaretti crumbs... although I may use these evil french almond cookies I have instead.!!! I will look into the cookbook too, sounds great.

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  2. That definitely sounds like something I would like! She had a TV series over here but I think I was the only person in the whole country who liked it.

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  3. I know you've raved about Sophie Dahl before, and I really should check out one of her cookbooks. I'm always looking for simpler food too.

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  4. I know you've raved about Sophie Dahl before, and I really should check out one of her cookbooks. I'm always looking for simpler food too.

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  5. You always find the most interesting recipes Barbara; ones that I want to head into the kitchen to make.

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  6. A great idea! A delicious dessert.

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  7. Good Afternoon Barbara, Do you know, rice pudding is one of my favourite desserts and this one looks delicious.
    I love Sophie Dahl's cook books, one of my favourites is Miss Dahl's Voluptuous Delights....isn't it a fabulous title. In the introduction she writes "the second word I ever spoke was "crunch", muddled baby speak for fudge, which should have alerted my parents to what lay ahead".
    Like your book it is full of family stories....such a good read and full of wonderful recipes.
    Thank you for this lovely recipe.
    Best Wishes
    Daphne

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  8. Curious. I do not like the American pudding, but I do like bread pudding and I'm thinking this is worth a try...

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  9. I love bread pudding! I bet I'd love this.

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  10. Such an interesting dessert...I love rice pudding and this is just a twist to it...looks wonderful and thanks for sharing the cookbook.
    Have a great week Barbara!

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  11. Waw!b What a grand & very stylish dessert! I love it so much! So tasty too! :)

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  12. i love love love the idea of a pudding cake, yum!!

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  13. I love risotto, I love pudding, and I love cake.... So, YES please!!!

    Sues

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  14. this is one of the most unique cakes i've ever seen! what a terrific share, barbara--thanks!

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  15. What a great recipe. I'm thinking I could turn it in to a pressure cooker recipe too.

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  16. well, I don't know Sophie Dahl's cookbooks, so I had better be checking them out. Love the title "Very Fond of Food"
    the risotto pudding cake looks delicious, really takes rice pudding and elevates it.

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  17. It really looks so nice, I would love to try it, but I have to admit that I am not really good at baking..

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  18. What a lovely riff on rice pudding. This sounds delicious as does her book which I will try to seek out. I hope all is well. Have a great day. Blessings...Mary

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  19. Well, you know that baking and I are not big friends, but this looks really interesting!

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  20. I will certainly try this! Unusual enough to be a conversation starter and so pretty!

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  21. Mmmmmm, I can almost feel the lovely texture of the cake from your photo. I probably wouldn't stop at just one slice either.

    Have a delicious weekend!

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  22. What a fabulous idea my friend, this looks so delicious - risotto in baking is such a unique idea :D

    Cheers
    Choc Chip Uru

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  23. Hi Barbara,

    I enjoy rice pudding and have never had it with the almonds and raisins, so look forward to making this.
    Thanks for sharing the recipe.
    Happy weekend
    hugs
    Carolyn

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  24. this looks utterly gorgeous

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  25. I took some cooking courses in Tuscany a couple of years back - this cake reminds me of of some of the simple, rustic desserts we prepared. I, too, vote for less complicated!

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  26. I don't have any of her books, and I don't know how that's happened. You've convinced me to change that! This looks like a perfect comfort food kind of dessert. Love those crushed cookies on top.

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  27. This looks amazing...I am off to take a peek at some of her books. I think I need one ...and thank you for sharing such joy...this really does look like something my family would adore..xoxox Have a blessed weekend.

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  28. Oooo, risotto in a desert? Sign me up :) This looks so good, Barbara! I love Sophie's recipes too.

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