It’s still winter and we all crave foods that warm our heart and delight our soul. This week’s recipe is Rizogalo – a Greek traditional rice pudding. Rice has been known since Ancient times in Greece as a cure for diseases of the digestive tract since the time of Theophrastus (370-285 BC), Dioscurides (first century) and Galenos (AD 130-200). This recipe comes from our cookbook of the week,  My Greek Family Table. The recipe is very similar to one we make at Wickedfood Cooking School in our Greek cooking classes.

½ cup medium grain or arborio rice

4 cups milk

4-5 tablespoons castor sugar

½ cup currants or sultanas

Cinnamon to garnish

Honey to garnish

1. Place the milk and sugar in a saucepan and stir over moderate heat. Bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to a low simmer and add the rice and currants or sultanas.
2. Continue to stir regularly until the mixture becomes almost thick and creamy and the rice is cooked. This will take approximately 30-35 minutes.
3. When the rizogalo has cooked place it in some serving bowls. Let it cool down slightly and then sprinkle some cinnamon and honey over the tops.
4. Serve whilst still warm.

Serves 4-6

Wickedfood Cooking School runs cooking classes throughout the year at its purpose-built Johannesburg cooking studio. Cookery classes are run in the mornings and evenings 7 days a week (subject to a minimum of 12 people). The venue is also popular for corporate events and private functions – teambuilding cooking classes, birthdays, kitchen teas, and dinner parties with a difference.

Our cooking lessons are hands-on, where every person gets to participate in the preparation of the dishes. They are also a lot of fun where you not only learn new skills, but get to meet people with similar interests. For corporate groups and team building cooking classes these events are a novel way of creating staff interaction or entertaining clients.