Sweet Caramel Rice with Dried Plums – A Taste of Childhood
Discover the classic recipe for rice with caramelized sugar and dried plums, a simple dessert full of charm and unforgettable memories spent with my grandmother.
Sweet Caramel Rice with Dried Plums
Course: DessertCuisine: RomanianDifficulty: Easy4
servings15
minutes40
minutes485
kcal55
minutesRice with caramelized sugar and dried plums is a classic dessert, reminiscent of the old days when meals were simple but full of flavor. This traditional recipe, prepared with love during the fasting period, brings a perfect balance between the sweetness of caramel and the aroma of dried fruits. Each sip is like a warm hug, transporting you to your childhood, to your grandmother’s table, where the little delights were enjoyed with the whole family. A simple but absolutely delicious dessert that will conquer you with every spoonful.
In the past, grandparents would dry fruit to make fruit. Whether they were pieces of apples or quinces, tactically strung on thread, or spread on grills in the sun, sometimes even on the roofs of houses. Plums were often given that fragrant note of smoke, which made them even tastier. They could be consumed as such, or various desserts could be prepared with them.
Rice with caramelized sugar and dried plums is one of my sweet childhood memories. My grandmother would prepare it in a large pot and then keep it on the edge of the stove to stay warm. The smell of caramel filled the whole house and it was a real joy when we would sit together and tell stories and eat it with great gusto. Its preparation is extremely simple, follow the step-by-step recipe explained below!
Ingredients
150 g rice
600 ml water (1 measure of rice = 4 measures of water)
200 g dried plums
100 g sugar
30 ml oil
*taste the rice towards the end, if necessary, add more water.
Walnut praline (optional):
150 g sugar100 g coarsely chopped walnut kernels
Directions
- Among the ingredients in the picture, you can also find those for nut praline. A sweet treat is also linked to childhood desserts. Since I caramelized sugar, I thought I would take advantage of the situation and prepare the praline much loved by children. This step is optional, but I will be sure to present it here in the recipe.
- In a non-stick pan I put the sugar to caramelize. I put it all at once, that is, the sugar for the praline. I let the sugar caramelize slightly, making circular movements from time to time. Under no circumstances did I mix with a spoon. It takes a while until the sugar is completely caramelized, so arm yourself with patience.
- After the sugar was completely caramelized, I mixed half of the amount obtained, or even more than half, with the finely chopped nuts. You have to move pretty quickly because the sugar hardens very quickly once you mix it with ingredients that are not at the same temperature. I transferred the praline to a damp wooden chopping board and flattened it with a spoon while it was still hot. Be careful not to hurt yourself/burn yourself! After it had cooled completely, I broke the praline into smaller pieces, to make it easier to serve.
- Over the remaining sugar in the pan, I added the oil and warm water. Upon contact with the water, the sugar will harden instantly, this is normal so don’t panic. I reduced the heat to low and let it simmer gently. The caramelized sugar will dissolve in the water as both reach the same temperature. After making sure everything was dissolved, I added the washed rice and prunes and simmered until the rice was completely cooked.
- And that was it! Easy, right? I chose to serve it in crystal cups, for the simple reason of making a fancier presentation. I recommend you eat this dessert, warm or even at room temperature. If you liked the recipe, I look forward to hearing from you in the comments to tell me about it. Until the next recipe, I wish you clear days with lots of sun and good cheer!
