Rice tartlets or puddings are a Tuscan specialty, in fact you will easily find them in bars and pastry shops. Do not be fooled by the name puddings because they have nothing of pudding. They are shortcrust pastry desserts filled with rice cream and lemon custard. Once you try them, you won’t be able to do without them because they are so delicious.
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: Cheap
- Rest time: 30 Minutes
- Preparation time: 50 Minutes
- Cooking time: 25 Minutes
- Portions: 12 puddings
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients for Rice Tartlets
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup butter (at room temperature)
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 1/4 cups rice
- 4 1/4 cups milk
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 lemon (Grated zest)
- 1 knob butter
- 1 pinch salt
- 2 cups milk
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1/3 cup cornstarch
- 2 lemons
Preparation of Rice Tartlets
Let’s see how to prepare rice tartlets or puddings.
First of all, prepare the rice. In a saucepan, cook the rice with milk and the other ingredients except for the butter. When it comes to a boil, cook on low heat for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Once cooked, add the butter, mix well and let it cool.
Prepare the shortcrust pastry. In a bowl, combine the flour, softened butter, 1 egg, sugar, a pinch of salt, and the grated zest of 1 lemon. Knead well with your hands until a smooth and homogeneous dough is formed. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least half an hour.
In the meantime, prepare the cream by bringing the milk to a boil with the lemon peel.
In another small pot, beat the eggs with the sugar and cornstarch, add the grated lemon zest, and pour in the milk while stirring after removing the peel. Return to the heat and cook, stirring constantly, until thickened.
When cooled, combine the custard with the rice and mix well.
Roll out the shortcrust pastry to a thickness of no more than half a centimeter. Use a pastry cutter to make circles between 4 and 5 inches, depending on the size of your molds. Place the pastry circles in greased molds and fill with the prepared filling. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 25-30 minutes, considering that they should become slightly golden. When cooked, let them cool and before serving, dust with powdered sugar.
