Burnt Butterscotch Rice Pudding Recipes

OLD-FASHIONED BUTTERSCOTCH PUDDING

Steps:

• Put egg yolks, cornstarch and salt into a large heatproof bowl, and whisk until the mixture is smooth and there are no lumps.
• In a medium pot over medium heat, combine brown sugar and butter, whisking, until the brown sugar melts, 1 to 2 minutes. Let cook, whisking constantly, until the mixture starts to smell like hot caramel and darkens slightly, about 1 minute longer. (Don't walk away, or the mixture may burn.)
• Immediately pour the milk and cream into the pot. (It will bubble fiercely and seize up.) Continue to cook, whisking constantly, until the clumps melt, 2 to 4 minutes.
• Slowly whisk about 1/2 cup of the hot cream mixture into the bowl with the egg yolks, whisking yolks until smooth, then whisk in the remaining hot cream mixture. Pour the egg-cream mixture back into the saucepan and place it over medium heat.
• Cook pudding, whisking constantly especially around the bottom and edges of the pot, until it comes to a full boil. (Don't worry about the eggs curdling. You're going to strain the mixture later.) Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, stirring the mixture constantly, until it thickens enough to mound thickly on the spoon, 4 to 7 minutes. If at any point the pudding looks curdled, whisk to help smooth it out.
• Strain mixture through a fine sieve into a heatproof container or bowl, then stir in the Scotch or bourbon, if using, and vanilla. To prevent a skin from forming, press plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the pudding. (If you like the skin, don't cover pudding until it cools.) Chill for at least 2 hours and up to 2 days.
• When serving, spoon pudding into dishes. Top with dollops of whipped cream, sour cream or crème fraîche, and any of the optional garnishes.

BUTTERSCOTCH PUDDING

Steps:

• Place yolks in a large mixing bowl and whisk lightly. Set aside. Combine the sugar and 1/4 cup water in a heavy, medium saucepan and place it over low heat. Cook until the sugar is dissolved, about 7 minutes. Raise the heat to high and cook, watching it closely, until the sugar turns a golden amber color.
• While the sugar is cooking, whisk the milk, cream and brown sugar together in another saucepan and place it over high heat. Bring just to a boil and remove from the heat. As soon as the caramel is golden, remove it from the heat and immediately begin to slowly stir in the hot milk and cream. (Be careful as the mixture will bubble up and sputter.) Continue to stir until all the milk has been added. Pouring in a slow, steady stream, whisk the hot cream mixture into the eggs. Whisk in the vanilla and salt. Strain through a fine-mesh strainer. Refrigerate until cool.
• Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Using a spoon, skim off any air bubbles from the top of the custard mixture. Divide the mixture between 6 -cup ramekins or custard cups and place them in a roasting pan. Add boiling water to the pan to come halfway up the sides of the ramekins and cover the pan with aluminum foil. Bake the puddings until they are set around the edges but still have an area in the center about the size of a quarter that remains somewhat loose, about 50 minutes. Remove custards from the roasting pan and refrigerate several hours or overnight. Serve with whipped cream if desired.