Middle Easterners like myself feel strongly about our superstitions — a beautiful thing that’s rooted in our traditions, cultural upbringings and historical symbolism. For example, the evil eye is said to bring protection, knocking on wood is said to avert jinxes and placing shoes right side up is said to ward off bad luck. Colors play an important role in superstitions too. The color white is associated with hope for good things to come, peace and prosperity. So to celebrate the New Year, some countries in the Middle East, namely Lebanon (where my family is from) and Syria, will cook white recipes such as Kibbeh bi labanieh, Shish Barak, or Riz Bi Haleeb, which translates to rice pudding.

Rice pudding is known for its creamy texture, subtle sweetness and aromatic scent. It’s a dessert that’s very common on Lebanese menus, at celebratory events and as part of holiday gatherings. But it holds specifical significance during the New Year in symbolizing hope for a year filled with positivity, prosperity and peace.

Rice pudding is a humble and common dish, shared all over the world. It’s usually made with just rice, milk and sugar, but the sum is equal to more than its parts. That’s because as you slowly simmer rice with milk over low heat, the starches break down and those three ingredients transform to an ultra-creamy and comforting texture. And there’s this undeniable sweet aroma that fills the kitchen which reinforces the comfort that the dish brings.

I also like to think that rice pudding’s white color represents a blank canvas for a fresh start and creativity in the kitchen. This recipe allows for so many customizations, and the variations are what makes it unique to different cultures. While my recipe here includes only vanilla extract in the base of the recipe, there are so many more Middle Eastern-inspired ingredients that can transform the humble rice pudding into a magical spoonful of goodness. Here are my five favorites:

Rosewater

Instead of using vanilla extract in the mixture, I infuse my rice pudding with rosewater, which has the delicate essence of roses steeped in water. It’s a popular Middle Eastern flavor, and just a few drops during the cooking process give the rice pudding a subtle floral hint that elevates traditional rice pudding.

Cardamom

You can use cardamom instead of vanilla extract or in addition to it. This is one of my favorite Middle Eastern spices that lends a warm, fragrant flavor to rice pudding with a slight citrusy undertone. It’s truly special and just adding 1 teaspoon to the whole mixture during the cooking process makes the pudding truly stand out.

Dates and Walnuts

This combo is actually my daily snack. I grab one date and a handful of walnuts in the middle of the day for an instant energy boost and sweet pick-me-up. The combination of dates and walnuts in Middle Eastern recipes is very common and a delicious way to change up rice pudding. Try adding about half a cup of chopped dates.

Turmeric or Saffron

A sprinkle of turmeric powder into the simmering rice pudding will transform its color instantly. You can achieve the same results by infusing saffron threads into warm milk and drizzling it over the finished rice pudding. They both give a burst of golden color and luxurious flavor that is very common in the Middle East. The only downside is the rice pudding no longer looks white!

Pistachios and Cinnamon

Finally, add a beautiful topping to your finished rice pudding by scattering it with chopped pistachios and cinnamon. The pistachios give the rice pudding a rich buttery taste and crunch that complements the sweet rice pudding. This is one of the most common ways that we present rice pudding in Lebanon and it’s as delicious as it is festive, whether it’s for New Year’s or any other celebration.

Whether you stick with the classic rice pudding or try one of the popular ways of customizing your rice pudding, I hope you try this recipe and enjoy learning something new about its significance. Let’s ring in the new year with a white dish to echo our hope for new beginnings, peace and prosperity.

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