Risalamande (Danish Christmas Eve Rice Pudding) for #SundaySupper

This week the #SundaySupper crew is sharing budget-friendly holiday recipes. I adore holiday meals and traditions. And I really love recipes that don't break my wallet. This recipe that I'll share today fits both bills.

I have several friends from Denmark and when one of them came to stay with me and my husband during the holidays many, many years ago, she shared with us the tradition of Risalamande. 

Risalamande is a traditional rice pudding eaten on Christmas Eve in Denmark. There are two traditions surrounding this delicious, budget-friendly dish. First, Risalamande is left as a bribe - to persuade the mischievous nisse (elves) to be kind to them. Second, Risalamande includes a single whole almond. Whoever gets the lucky almond wins a prize. Typically, in our family, the prize is a marzipan pig! Risalamande is often served with whipped cream and a warm cherry sauce.

I love this recipe because you put it all in a bowl, steam it in a double boiler, and leave it for 2 hours. That's it. Disclaimer: this is my version - not sure my Danish friends would approve.

I have only tried this with Koda Farms Kuhuho Rose rice. It's an heirloom variety of medium grain rice. Complex, subtle, slightly nutty but with a sweet afternote. It's also moist and slightly sticky. It's the perfect rice-pudding rice. If you can't find Kuhuho Rose rice, try an arborio.

Ingredients

• 3 C cream or milk or a mixture of both
• 1/2 C Kuhuho Rose rice
• 4 T raw honey
• dash of ground cinnamon
• dash of ground nutmeg
• dash of ground cardamom
• splash of vanilla
• 1 blanched whole almond
• unsweetened whipped cream, optional
• warm cherry compote, optional

Procedure

If you have a double boiler, use that. If not, you can improvise with a stainless steel bowl that sits snugly in atop a pot. Fill the pot with enough water that the bottom of the bowl does not touch it. Bring the water to a simmer.

Mix the cream, spices, vanilla, and honey together in the top of your double boiler. Add the rice and whole almond. Stir so that you don't have any clumps. Place over the simmering water and cover tightly - either with a lid or with foil.

Simmer for two hours, until the rice is soft and the cream absorbed. Stir and serve hot. When serving, try to hide which bowl has the whole almond. Whoever has it wins a prize!

Here's what the rest of the #SundaySupper crew brought to the table...

Scrumptious Mains (Breakfast and Dinner)

• Curry Baked Chicken Wings from Chocolate Moosey
• Shrimp Fried Rice from The Redhead Baker
• Spicy Marinated Steak Tacos from Nik Snacks
• Vegan Black Bean Soup from Killer Bunnies, Inc
• Slow Cooker Swiss Steak from Nosh My Way
• Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili from Peaceful Cooking
• Curry Veg Soup from Jane's Adventures in Dinner
• Easy Slow Cooker BBQ Beef from Noshing With The Nolands
• Tortelini and Cannelini Minestrone with Spinach from A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures
• Addictive Korean Beef Bowl from A Mama, Baby & Shar-pei in the Kitchen
• Grilled Lemon Chicken with Corn Salad from Brunch with Joy
• Five Bean Chili from The Foodie Army Wife
• Vaca Frita from That Skinny Chick Can Bake
• Chicken Pot Pie Turnovers from The Life and Loves of Grumpy's Honeybunch
• Spaghetti Squash Nests with Meatballs from Curious Cuisiniere
• Chicken Meatballs and Spaghetti from Cindy's Recipes and Writings
• Cauliflower Chowder from Flavor Mosaic
• Individual Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal Cups from Peanut Butter and Peppers
• Unstuffed Cabbage Roll Casserole from Yours And Mine Are Ours
• Mac, Veggie and Cheese Casserole from Cooking Chat
• Loaded Sweet Potato Quinoa Chili from Sue's Nutrition Buzz
• Chicken Pot Pie Cupcakes from Having Fun Saving
• Vegetable Fried Rice from Basic N Delicious
• Comforting White Bean-Pancetta Soup from The Weekend Gourmet
• Mujadara with Lebanase Salata from Take A Bite Out of Boca
• Hunters Stew from Simply Healthy Family
• Brats and Kraut from Confessions of a Culinary Diva
• Beef Taco Soup from Fit Foodie Runs
• Slow Cooker "Hash Brown" Breakfast Casserole {#lowcarb #glutenfree} from Cupcakes and Kale Chips
• French Toast Pigs in a Blanket from Bobbi's Kozy Kitchen
• Orecchiette Pasta with Brie, Broccoli and Tomatoes from Family Foodie
• Gluten Free Spinach and Feta Frittata from Gluten Free Crumbley

Satisfying Sides

• Tender Whole Wheat Bread from What Smells So Good?
• Austin-Style Black Beans from The Texan New Yorker
• Buffalo Chicken Egg Rolls w/Creamy Blue Cheese Dipping Sauce from Daily Dish Recipes

Sweet Treats

• Apple Blackberry Crisp from Hot Momma's Kitchen Chaos
• Brown Sugar Shortbread from Shockingly Delicious
• Rock Cakes from Happy Baking Days
• Incredible White Chocolate Brownies from The Perfect Brownie
• Rocky Road Brownies from Wallflour Girl
• Autumn Spice Truffles from Desserts Required
• Profiteroles with Caramel Drizzle from Food Lust People Love
• Gluten-Free Pumpkin Cake Donuts from NinjaBaking.com
• Carrot Cake Sheet Cake from Pies and Plots
• Risalamande (Danish Christmas Eve Rice Pudding) from Culinary Adventures with Camilla

Sips, Spreads, and Snacks

• Pumpkin Spice Roasted Pumpkin Seeds from Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks
• Tex Mex Chicken Salad Spread from Momma's Meals
• Budget Friendly Wines for Budget Friendly #SundaySupper from ENOFYLZ Wine Blog

Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter on Sunday! We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET.  Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. To get more great Sunday Supper Recipes, visit our website or check out our Pinterest board.

Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It’s easy. You can sign up by clicking here: Sunday Supper Movement.