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Ris ala mande with Cherry Sauce

Servings: 4-6
Comments:
Ris ala mande is a traditional Danish dessert, served usually at Christmas. When served with the traditional Danish Christmas dinner, one whole almond is placed in the pudding. The person who finds the almond will get an extra gift. This usually helps on the number of second helpings. It is a tradition not to reveal who has the almond until all the pudding has been eaten.


Ingredients:
1 (1/4 oz.) envelope unflavored gelatin
3 tablespoons cold water
4 cups milk
1 cup short-grain white rice
7 tablespoons sugar
Dash of salt
1 cup heavy cream, for whipping
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup blanched almonds, chopped
1 whole almond

Homemade Bing Cherry Sauce (see recipe below) or 1 can Cherry Pie Filling


Instructions:
Place 3 tablespoons water in a small bowl. Sprinkle gelatin over water. Let stand 3 minutes to soften gelatin. Warm mixture in microwave until gelatin dissolves, about 30 seconds.

Meanwhile, place 2 cups of the milk and the rice in a medium saucepan. Stir over moderate heat until the rice is tender, about 20 minutes. Stir in the dissolved gelatin, then the remaining 2 cups of milk, the dash of salt and the sugar. Transfer the rice mixture to a large bowl. Freeze until mixture is cold and thickens but does is not set, stirring occasionally, about 45 minutes.

Whip the cream and vanilla until soft peaks form. Fold the whipped cream into the rice mixture. Fold in the 1/2 cup chopped almonds, and the one (1) whole almond. Place in a serving bowl and chill in refrigerator. When ready to serve, spoon into individual dessert bowls, and serve with cherry sauce. Refrigerate any left-over pudding.

Makes 4-6 servings.

Homemade Bing Cherry Sauce

Ingredients:
1 can (17 oz.) Pitted Bing Cherries
3-4 tsp. granulated sugar
2 tbsp. cornstarch
Dash of salt
1 teaspoon of lemon juice
1/2 tsp. almond extract or almond flavoring, optional
Water, to add to Bing Cherry liquid from can

Instructions:
Drain can of pitted bing cherries. Reserve liquid. Pour liquid (that you drained and reserved from can) into a medium saucepan, and add enough water to liquid to make 1 1/2 cups. Cook on medium heat, adding sugar, cornstarch, and a dash of salt. Cook and stir mixture until thickened and clear. Add the cherries, the lemon juice, and if desired, 1/2 tsp. almond extract. Pour sauce over individual servings of the Ris ala mande.

Photograph taken by Diana Baker Woodall © 2002


Source: DianasDesserts.com
Date: May 30, 2002-Revised 7-14-03