Food traditions also have something magical in them when they carry stories from generation to generation. Riisipuuro is a favourite winter time tradition in Finland, and an easy but warming rice porridge, which can be found on many Christmas tables. But the extra special touch to it is put inside the pot, and that is a secret, one almond. Anyone who finds one in his or her bowl is believed to put them under their lucky charm for the whole coming year. It is warmth and joy and a bit of holiday magic rolled into one: it is not chow
A Little History
Rice porridge can either be something that you have heard of, but you find different variations of it in most of the nations, and Finland has created something with a Finnish soul. Riisipuuro isn’t just everyday Finnish breakfast fuel—it’s also the edible heart of Christmas Eve, served steaming with a hidden almond for luck. Parents reunite, there is the aroma of the warm milk and cinnamon coming through the house and everyone awaits to find the almond. Despite the modesty of the dish itself, rice, milk, and sugar, the dish is symbolic of home cozying, being with people, and celebration.
Ingredients
- 1 cup of pudding rice (e.g. pudding rice or Arborio or substitute with sushi rice in a crunch)
- 4 cups of whole milk (Use oat milk or almond milk to make the lighter version)
- 1 cup water
- 1-2 tablespoons sugar (taste it as you like, maybe you can use some honey instead)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Serve: Butter and ground cinnamon (Nutmeg or cardamom preferable as a substitute)
Instructions
Step 1 : Place water and rice in a large heavy bottomed boiling pot and let them simmer over relatively low heat. Stir fry over medium heat 2-3 minutes until the water has absorbed. This assists in softening of the rice prior to the milk being added to it
Step 2: Add milk step by step and keep stirring to reduce heat
Stpe 4 : Allow the rice to cook in the milk approximately 40- 50 minutes at a time, stirring occasionally, lest it more to the bottom. Slow and low is the trick here- patience makes it creamy
Step 5: To equalize the flavors, you should add salt and sugar. Taste it and if it is less you can add more as per your taste
Step 6 : If making it for Christmas, slip a whole almond into the porridge just before serving. Give the pot a little stir so no one knows where it landed
Step 7: Use a ladle to portion the porridge into individual bowls, dust lightly with cinnamon, and top each serving with a small pat of butter in the center. See it turn to golden pools of comfort
Serving Tips
- Riisipuuro stars at Finnish breakfast tables year-round, but on Christmas Eve, it takes center stage as the evening’s comforting main event—often hiding that lucky almond
- Serve it and enjoy it with warm mulled juice or coffee and experience a cozy moment Finnish style.
- It is poured over some families in combination with luumukiisseli (plum soup) as sweet
- If making for kids, you can skip the almond or replace it with a raisin to avoid any choking hazard
Precautions
- Continue stirring the rice regularly to keep it from sticking or burning at the bottom of the pot
- A good strong bottomed saucepan should be used- thinner pots are likely to scorch
- Never hurry the cooking, an increase of heat will cause the milk to boil over, or curd
- When using milk made out of plants it may not thicken uniformly, so you will have to add cooking time accordingly.
