More spring treats from the garden!  We planted one rhubarb plant last year and are able to cut sparingly this year.  To allow the plant to grow strong, we can’t cut too much--but a little goes a long way!



Technically a vegetable, rhubarb is eaten more like a fruit; its tang is offset by sugar in jams, sauces, and pies. 

 


The May, 2009 Food and Wine magazine has a recipe featuring this celery-like treat so we thought we’d give it a try.

Rice Pudding with Poached Rhubarb

Rice Pudding
        1 cup arborio rice
        2 1/2 cups whole milk
        1 cup heavy cream
        1/2 vanilla bean, split, seeds scraped
        3/4 cup sugar
       
Poached Rhubarb
        3 cups water
        2 cups sugar
        1 cup dry red wine or rosé
        2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
        1 cinnamon stick
        1/2 vanilla bean, split, seeds scraped
        1 pound rhubarb, cut into 1-inch lengths
        Small mint leaves, for garnish

    1.    To make the rice pudding: Fill a medium saucepan with water and bring to a boil. Add the rice and cook over high heat for 3 minutes. Drain the rice and return it to the saucepan. Add the milk, cream, vanilla bean and seeds. Bring to a simmer and cook over low heat until the rice is very tender, about 25 minutes. Stir in the sugar and remove from the heat. Discard the vanilla bean. Scrape the pudding into a 9-by-13-inch glass dish, press a sheet of plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the pudding and refrigerate until chilled, about 3 hours.

    2.    Meanwhile, make the poached rhubarb: In a large saucepan, combine the water with the sugar, wine, lemon juice, cinnamon stick, vanilla bean and seeds. Bring to a simmer and cook over moderate heat for 10 minutes. Add the rhubarb and simmer until tender, about 15 minutes. Pour the rhubarb and its poaching liquid into a glass or plastic bowl and refrigerate until chilled, about 3 hours.

    3.    Spoon the rice pudding into bowls. Using a slotted spoon, top with some of the rhubarb. Sprinkle with mint leaves and serve.




Though it may not suit everyone's taste, this much maligned fruit-like vegetable deserves a place in the garden and brunch buffet.  Enjoy!

Well, how was it? What's the texture of the rhubarb when it's been cooked? It looks like it might be stringy.

It was divine! Equally as good with vanilla bean ice cream. Looking forward to a Strawberry-Rhubarb Pie!:)