Creamy Dreamy Rice Pudding

Rice pudding is simply satisfying and comforting. This recipe is made with arborio rice, vanilla bean and ground cardamom. It is delicious, and right for anytime of the day.. well, we think so. It is a simple recipe, but you have to be patient to cook the rice on low heat, and add the liquid in small amounts to be able to enjoy the best rice pudding. It's totally worth it. Promise.

In a large saucepan boil:
1C water with 1/4t salt and 1/2C sugar.
When boiling add 1/2C arborio rice.
Reduce the heat to medium-low, stir occasionally and wait for the liquid to reduce almost fully before adding anything else. This will take about 15 minutes.

Then have:
2C milk ready and add 1/2C at a time, stir, wait for the rice to absorb the liquid and add the next 1/2C. Repeat until the milk is gone, this can take up to 35 minutes plus, since you should have the heat on low and stir every 5-10 minutes.
Add 2t vanilla extract,
scrape the inside of 1/2 of a vanilla bean, put all of this in to the rice including the pod, for flavor. Remove when serving.
Also add 1t ground cardamom, whisk the rice well so there are no cardamom lumps.
Now have 1C of heavy cream ready, add 1/2C at a time till the rice gets softer, and the pudding thickens. Cover the saucepan to make the rice soften faster, stir every 10 minutes, and keep the heat on low.
This whole process for the rice to thicken and absorb the liquid on low heat will take up to 1 1/2 hours. it is a slow process, but it has the best results, making the rice perfectly soft and creamy.
Taste the rice, see if it is soft without a hard center, if so it is ready, if not keep it covered and cook on low heat longer, stirring occasionally. Serve hot or cold, add some fresh fruit if desired.