Saffron and Fig Rice Pudding
Okay, so j. requested a rice pudding, and I figure that since she's off her budget right now, it'd be the perfect time to throw a little saffron into the mix. Also, I had some dried figs laying about that I really did need to use up, so here they are (and look at that - me using stuff in storage!). Sorry for my lateness in posting this; I've had a couchsurfer staying with me and my need to be an almost decent hostess has gotten in the way of me posting. Hope you enjoy! 1 cup rice 1 3/4 cups water pinch salt 1/4 teaspoon saffron threads 1/8 teaspoon each: cardamom pods; pink peppercorns 1 1/2 cups milk 1/8 cup vanilla sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional) 1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon rose water (don't use too much of this or it comes out tasting like flowers, and no one likes that sort of thing) 1/8 cup almonds, chopped 8 dried figs, cut into quarters Boil the water and pour it onto the saffron. Let stand an hour or so. Then combine it with the remainder of ...