Chocolate Rice Pudding

Cooking Instructions

Cook the rice first: in small pot with tight-fitting lid, combine water and rice. Stir well. Cover; place over medium heat till water comes to a boil. Reduce heat. Simmer, covered, until most of water is absorbed, about 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from heat. Let stand, covered, at least 10 minutes before using.

In medium heatproof bowl, combine chopped chocolates. In small saucepan over low heat, heat cream, stirring occasionally, until very hot. Remove from heat. Pour about 2/3 of hot cream over chocolates. Let stand for a minute or two; stir until smooth. (If necessary, place bowl of chocolate over simmering water on low heat (water should not touch bottom of bowl), and stir often until melted and smooth. Remove from heat and hot water). Gradually stir or whisk in remaining cream. Mixture will be thick. Set aside until needed, stirring occasionally.

In 1-1/2 to 2 quart heavy-bottomed, nonreactive pot, combine eggs with about 1/3 cup milk (reserve remaining milk). By hand, beat until well-blended. Add sugar and salt. In small saucepan over low heat, heat remaining milk until very hot, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Gradually add to egg mixture, stirring constantly.

Place this mixture over medium heat. Stir constantly until it reaches a temperature of 174 degrees F on a candy thermometer. Immediately remove from heat.

Turn cooked rice into large heatproof bowl. Stir chocolate mixture to blend, then scrape out of bowl on to top of rice, which should still be hot (do not stir). Strain about 1/3 of hot custard onto chocolate-rice mixture and stir well to blend, scraping bowl bottom and sides thoroughly. in two additions, strain remaining custard into chocolate-rice mixture, stirring well after each. Add vanilla with last addition of custard. Pudding will be very thin and taste too sweet now--OK.

Cool briefly, then chill at least 4 hours before serving, stirring once during chilling time. To store, place a paper towel over the top of the bowl or container, then cover tightly with plastic wrap (the paper towel will absorb any condensation that might form and would otherwise drip into rice pudding). Store in refrigerator; eat within three days.