My friend Dawn made this for the Gourmette’s prior to the Fabulous Food Show. It’s the best rice pudding in the world. All the foodies at the food show thought so too!

2 cups water

1 cup medium grain Calrose rice

2 Tablespoons butter

1 quart milk (I use half & half)

1/2 cup sugar

2 teaspoons Tahitian Gold Vanilla Extract

Yellow Dog Sweet Shake

Ripe banana – chopped

In a heavy 3 quart saucepan, heat water, rice and butter to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low, cover and cook rice, stirring once until tender and liquid is absorbed about 15 minutes.

Add milk and sugar to cooked rice – mix well. Heat to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to low and simmer 2o minutes until thick and creamy. Stirring occasionally to prevent the rice from sticking to the pan. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla and then transfer to serving dishes. Garnish with Yellow Dog Sweet Shake and chopped bananas. You can also add currents or raisins when you add the milk and sugar if desired. We like it warm but you can cover the surface with plastic wrap and chill.