Risotto-Style Strawberry Rice Pudding

Ingredients

• 1 quart strawberries, rinsed and hulled
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 lemon, zest finely grated and juiced
• 1 quart milk
• 1 vanilla bean, seeds scraped
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 cup Arborio rice
• Pinch kosher salt

Directions

Cut strawberries into medium-size dice. In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, add strawberries, 1/4 cup sugar, and lemon juice. Cook until berries are soft and the juices have thickened slightly, about 10 to 15 minutes. Set aside to cool.

Heat the milk in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat until it starts to steam. Remove one cup of milk, set it aside, and keep it warm. Stir into the larger pan of milk the remaining sugar, the vanilla bean and seeds, and the rice. Lower heat and cook, stirring constantly, until the rice is tender, about 20 minutes. Add the reserved milk, lemon zest, butter, and salt. Stir well and remove from the heat. This should have a more liquid consistency than regular risotto.

To serve, layer rice pudding and strawberry mixture in tall clear glasses. Chill.