Wholesome Rice Pudding

This dish is a favorite with my students. Slightly oatmeal-ish, but smoother and creamier. Also, calling it "pudding" instead of "cereal" makes it more appealing to little tummies.

1 cup rice
3 cups water
2 T butter
1 t cinnamon
1/4 t nutmeg
1/2 cup cream, half and half, or milk (nonfat milk will not have as creamy a result)
3 T raisins (optional)
2 T maple syrup or brown sugar
1 t vanilla


1) Put the rice, water, butter and spices in a pot over medium heat.

2) Simmer until the water has boiled down significantly. Be sure to stir often, as rice sometimes sticks and burns to the bottom of the pan.
3) Add the cream and raisins and simmer until thickened, stirring often.

4) Removed from heat and add maple syrup and vanilla.
5) Serve warm or cold.
Yum!