Coconut Plantain "Rice" Pudding

Coconut Plantain “Rice” Pudding

Not only was Tuesday my birthday and the day I announced my cookbook deal with...

Coconut Plantain "Rice" Pudding

Not only was Tuesday my birthday and the day I announced my cookbook deal with Clarkson Potter, today is Lu and my two-year anniversary.

In celebration, I’m sharing the recipe I’ve been teasing you all with on Facebook and Instagram.

It’s gluten-free, vegan, Paleo and like nothing you’ve ever tried before (unless you’ve had plantain rice pudding before, that is).

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I’m writing this post on my actual birthday, so I can’t comment on how I’ll be spending my anniversary (because I don’t know – that’s Lu’s job). Most likely, it’ll include champagne and great food.

Before I tell you the story of how Lu and I met (it’s only appropriate), let’s talk about this rice pudding. First off, it only has five ingredients and somehow, the flavors are so incredible, you’d think this would be some fancy schmancy dessert at a Michelin rated restaurant.

The medium-ripe plantains give the dish a sweetness that’s subtle, not overwhelming. The cinnamon gives the pudding that familiar aroma and comforting taste (like a pourridge) and the raisins and coconut add more sweetness and texture.

Coconut Plantain "Rice" Pudding

The best part? It takes 10-15 minutes to make! Honestly, who has the time to bake a cake these days? Everyone’s all about the mug cakes now! Ditch the microwave and the unhealthy ingredients. Instead, make this rice pudding. And then come back and let me know what you thought.

Now, for Lu and I…

The Story

I used to work at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, NJ. I was the Director of Hospitality, where I oversaw the entire hotel complex there, from reservations to ordering of bed linens. Any-who, part of my job was to help brides coordinate their wedding day logistics, including all of their wedding guests’ accommodations, their bridal suite, etc.

Lu’s brother, Jose, got married to Christina (now Lu’s sister in law) at the club, in September 2011. However, I never actually went to the wedding or met any of the bridal party (including the groom!) I had taken that week off for a vacation (very rare).

I stopped working at the club in January 2012. Fast forward to March 2012. I get an e-mail from my old coworker Liz, who happens to be one of my friends and still worked at the club at the time. She forwarded me an e-mail that had come through my old work e-mail. It was from Christina (the bride, now wife of Lu’s brother) saying this:

“Hey Girl! Long time no talk. How have you been? I always wonder if I am going to run into you in Hoboken! Hope all is well with you. I am sure you are getting ready to ramp up the season at the club again!!! I had a quick question for you. Are you around at all today?”

Remembering how awesome Christina was, of course I responded back and asked her what was up, to which she responded with:

So I always used to tell my brother in law that I wanted him to meet you and he was dating this girl I was not jazzed about….but that is NO MORE! I don’t know if you are dating someone or if you even have any interest, but if you might be let me know! I could send you a picture before you decide anything for pre-approval. Lol

My response (don’t judge – I’m 5’8″!):

Ha! You’re so sweet – yes, I’m terribly single. As single as they get! Send his picture my way 🙂 He’s got to be taller than 6’1″, that’s my cut off haha.

Her response:

Nice! Well he is 6’4″ so ur good there! I will send u a picture!!

Then, she sends me a picture of Lu. I agreed to meet with him, of course. Then, Christina gave him my e-mail address. Reading through our first e-mails makes me laugh every single time.

His first e-mail to me, ever:

Hey Ali,

I got your email from my sister in law, Christina. How are you? Wanted to send a quick hello and see if you wanted to get together some time next week for a drink. Let me know what you think.

Lu

He had me at “Hey Ali.”

Long long story short, we ended up going on a date on April 6, 2012 and today is obviously our two year anniversary.

How’s that for a story?

Coconut Plantain “Rice” Pudding

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 1

Ingredients

  • 1 1/3 cup vanilla almond milk
  • 1 medium-ripe plantain peeled, Blade C
  • 1/8 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup raisins
  • 1-2 tsp coconut flakes

Instructions

  • Place your plantain noodles into a food processor and pulse until made into rice-like bits. Place into a medium saucepan, along with 1 cup of the almond milk.
  • Bring the contents of the saucepan to a boil. Once boiling, lower heat to a simmer. Simmer for 10 minutes. At around 5 minutes, the rice should have reduced. Whenever it does reduce (almost starts sticking to the bottom), add in the other 1/3 cup of milk. Let reduce, stirring occasionally until creamy.
  • Once done, remove from heat and add in the cinnamon, coconut flakes and raisins. Stir until the cinnamon dissolves into the pudding.
  • Pour into a bowl and enjoy!

Coconut Plantain "Rice" Pudding

Coconut Plantain "Rice" Pudding

Coconut Plantain "Rice" Pudding

 

with love, Ali

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comments

  • Been waiting for this recipe! Can't wait to try it. Do you think it'll be equally as good if I just use plain almond milk and add some vanilla extract?
  • How sweet! Happy anniversary!! My (now husband) and I started dating 5 years ago on April 3 :) This dish looks awesome! I can't wait to try it!
  • Wow, I cannot wait to try this!! I just bought plantains yesterday and I've been loving experimenting with them lately! Woohoo-- and paleo!!
  • Can coconut milk be substitute for the almond milk? I'm avoiding nuts...
    • Yes, it would just be a bit thicker. Don't add in the coconut flakes either and maybe add 1/8 - 1/4 tsp vanilla extract. Try that, hope it helps!
      • Thank you! I'll give it a try.
  • That is so cute how you guys met! And this dessert looks delicious.
  • Do you have to do anything to the plantain before you spiralize it into noodles? I'm a plantain newbie :)
  • This looks so delicious! And happy, happy anniversary! :)
  • Awww such a cute "meeting" story!! I love it. Also, I love rice pudding....but I also LOVE LOVE LOVE plantains. So pretty sure I would like this version even more. Happy anniversary!!
  • Hi Ali! What food processor do you recommend? I'm looking for something small and inexpensive that works well - probably a tough combo. I had a Cuisinart mini chop before but had to throw it out when I moved apartments - it was annoying to clean and got a burning smell after very little pulsing. I used it to make banana "ice cream," which my Yonanas now does :) I just got into spiralizing and a 95% Paleo lifestyle this year, and was so happy to find your blog!
    • Thanks and welcome to the blog!! I use a few, but this one has been with me from the beginning and still works: http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/Cuisinart-Mini-Prep-Plus-Processors/103163?device=c&network=g&matchtype=&mcid=PS_googlepla_nonbrand_kitchenelectrics_&gclid=CKSR1ZKA1r0CFW1nOgodl2kAsg
  • I assume that is a picture of a "medium-ripe" plantain? I think this will be my first try with them!
  • Do you think this recipe could be made with carrot instead of plantain? Just looking for a way to add more colored veggies to my diet.
  • I love set ups! (and rice pudding, yum have to try this!). I was set up with my fiancé too! Long story short - we had a co-worker in common. She was french living in Canada (he's french, i'm canadian. I was sent to france for training when I started with the company. She decided it would be nice for me to have someone who could show me around the city. ..... 2.5 years later, I'm living in france (i'm canadian) with him and we are getting married in 2 months!
  • I was so excited about this recipe but I'm having problems. I've been cooking it for about 40 minutes and it's still not cooking down - cooking while I'm writing this. I also had a problem using the Spiralizer. It got all stuck and mushy. I used a plaintain that was just getting some black spots - maybe it was too ripe. It was also really easy to peel. All the videos I saw it seemed like it took a bit of work to get off the peel. Anyways, I hope it will be ready to have after dinner. It smells yummy.
  • what is the reason for using the spiralizer before the food processor? could i simply put the plantains in the food processor to achieve the same effect?
  • Hello, this looks awesome!! Was just wondering on the nutritionals? Carbs, protein and fat? Thanks!
  • Ali, what an adorable story of how you and Lu met! Better than dating apps any day!
  • Guess my plantain was overly ripe since the "ricing" didn't really work but even plantain mush pudding smells heavenly banana bread-y!
  • Hi Oh I want to try this...one thing...the coconut flakes, do they serve a purpose? Would it matter if I didn't add them, or do I need an alternative? Would almond flakes work for instance? (I have no coconut flakes and really want to make this asap :-D...we ALWAYS have plantain in :-D)