Simple Rice Pudding

We made this simple rice pudding Saturday night, which was the perfect accompaniment to catching up on the Colbert Report. It's adapted from a recipe on Martha Stewart Living. You can make the pudding as rich or simple as you like, depending on whether you use cream, whole milk or skim milk. Because there isn't much sweetness in the pudding itself, the honey is highlighted and each person can sweeten as they please.  

INGREDIENTS:  

3 3/4 cups milk (whole, 2% or skim; if you want a really rich pudding, you can substitute 1/2 cup cream for some of the milk)

1/2 cup aborio (or short grain) rice

1 tablespoon sugar

pinch of salt

3 tablespoons honey, plus more for drizzling

Combine the milk, rice, sugar and salt in a sauce pan and bring to a boil over medium heat.  Reduce heat and simmer for about 20 or 25 minutes, until rice is soft and chewy and has absorbed all the milk. Remove from heat and stir in the honey.  Let sit for about five minutes.  Serve in bowls with more honey drizzled on top. Makes four 1/2 cup servings.

Variations/additions:  Tuck star anise or a stick of cinnamon in the milk and rice while simmering. (Remove before serving!)  Add a handful (about 1/2 cup) dried fruit.  Sprinkle with cinnamon or nutmeg once you place the pudding in the bowls.