Riisipuuro (Finnish Rice Porridge)
In short: Short-grain rice cooked slowly in milk until thick and creamy, served with cinnamon sugar and butter. The Finnish Christmas morning porridge. It takes about 1 h in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 5 min
- Cook
- 55 min
- Total
- 1 h
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 270 kcal
Riisipuuro is a simple pot of milk and short-grain rice cooked slowly until creamy. Finns eat it for breakfast, and it is the traditional Christmas morning porridge, where a single almond hidden in the pot brings luck to whoever finds it. Cinnamon sugar and a pat of butter go on top, with berry soup or jam on the side. A heavy pot and some patience are all it takes.
Instructions
- Put the rice and water in a heavy pot, bring to a boil and simmer over medium-low heat for about 10 minutes, until the water is absorbed.
- Add the milk and salt and bring to a gentle simmer, stirring.
- Turn the heat to low and cook for 40 to 45 minutes, stirring often and more frequently at the end, until the rice is tender and the porridge is thick and creamy.
- Stir in the 1 tbsp butter. If you like, hide a whole almond in the pot just before serving.
- Spoon into bowls and top each with cinnamon sugar and a teaspoon of butter, with berry soup or jam alongside if you like.
Tips
- Use a heavy-bottomed pot and keep the heat low. Milk scorches easily, and stirring in the last 15 minutes prevents a stuck layer.
- Leftover porridge can be thinned with milk the next morning, or used as the filling for Karelian pasties.
Questions and answers
Can I make riisipuuro ahead of time?
Yes. It keeps in the fridge for 3 days and thickens when cold. Reheat it with a splash of milk, stirring over low heat.
What kind of rice is best?
Short-grain pudding rice gives the creamiest result. Medium-grain rice works too, but avoid long-grain basmati, which stays separate.
Why is an almond hidden in Christmas porridge?
It is an old Finnish custom. Whoever finds the whole almond in their bowl is said to have good luck in the coming year.
How long does it take to make Riisipuuro (Finnish Rice Porridge)?
About 1 h in total: 5 min of preparation and 55 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Riisipuuro (Finnish Rice Porridge)?
About 270 kcal per serving, with 8 g of protein, 35 g of carbohydrates and 11 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 270 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 8 g |
| Carbohydrates | 35 g |
| Fat | 11 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 17 g |
| Sodium | 380 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
