Turkish cuisine is famous for it's puddings and milk desserts. Oven-baked rice pudding, called "firin sutlac" (fur-UHN' soot-LAHCH'), is one of my favorite recipes.
It's sweet, smooth, milky texture and flavor remind me of the rice pudding my grandmother used to make. Only better.
This pudding is baked in the oven before serving, so it has a thin, nicely browned skin on top. You have to pierce the skin with your spoon to get to the good stuff below.
Turkish cooks take great pride in their rice pudding. They seek out the freshest daily milk, and dote over the pan, stirring and testing the pudding with care as it cooks.
It's said that the secret to great rice pudding is lots of stirring and patience among other things.
Believe it or not, my family and I enjoy rice pudding even after the biggest of meals. It's actually very light and won't weigh you down.
You can also use low fat or skim milk if your wish for even lighter pudding. Children and adults alike absolutely love this dessert.
I always make double and keep the puddings in the refrigerator for a few days. They make great, healthy after-school snacks.
Try the recipe for this classic, beloved Turkish dessert. It will help you bring back some dessert memories from your childhood, too.
Photo © Elizabeth Taviloglu, 2013