Rice pudding is a favorite all over the world. Because it is a world favorite, there are many different variations too. We are having my belated birthday party today, and it is an Ethiopian/Middle Eastern theme. My desserts are baklava and a cherry pistachio rice pudding. The baklava I bought from my favorite Mediterranean/Lebanese restaurant, Mumtaz. Mediterranean Mumtaz I could make it, but I want it to be perfect, so I bought it instead. The cherry pistachio rice pudding is my own interpretation from another one of my Middle Eastern cookbooks.
I had custard leftover from when I made my chocolate strawberry tart Chocolate Strawberry Tart and mixed it with whipped cream to make a pastry cream, then added dried cherries and cooked rice.
We are going to have a houseful of 23 people, so I portioned it into individual cups and added more whipped cream on top. It still needed some more pizzazz, so I added some cherry pie filling and then topped them off with chopped pistachios.
My friend Karen asked how I decided on an Ethiopian theme. That was easy. My dear friend Julia, yes, our very own from https://retirementrvdream.com/, now Blackberry Homestead, gave me a wonderful Ethiopian cookbook and Ethiopian ingredients for Christmas. Ironically, the Middle Eastern cookbook I used was also from Julia too. 🙂 This delicious cookbook was my inspiration for my party. Yes, I could have easily made recipes for just us, but it’s much more fun to cook for a party of people. 🙂
I have a whole Ethiopian/Middle Eastern feast planned for the party, so stay tuned. You don’t want to miss a thing. 🙂
Have a great day and make everyday great. Stay safe and stay well. ‘Til next time.
A Jeanne in the Kitchen 
It is going to be so fun!!!🤩
LikeLiked by 3 people
I think so too. 🙂 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds exciting! Those Pistachios appetizers are a win. Enjoy!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, but even better, they are for dessert. 🙂
LikeLike
My dining experience with a few North African countries catered me with (especially Ethiopia and Tunisia) a dessert as an appetizer which was always served first. Odd, so it was🥹…and with a belly dance. Cheers!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Cool! Life is short. Eat dessert first. Maybe they have the right idea. 🙂 🙂 🙂
LikeLike
Maybe… deviations happen sometimes. ♥️🥹for me, different customs are shocking, but, cultural shocks happen.☕️☕️
LikeLiked by 1 person
That they do, but we just have to roll with whatever comes our way. 🙂
LikeLike
Nice combo with rice pudding
LikeLiked by 2 people
Merci, mon aimee. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for sharing the love. Have a great day. 🙂
LikeLike
You are fearless when it comes to trying new things, Jeanne. 💫
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes Ma’am. I sure am. 🙂 🙂 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your rice pudding sounds spectacular, but the word ‘baklava’ erases everything from my mind. In any restaurant that serves it, I am not even interested in the rest of the menu!
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂 🙂 🙂 I love baklava too. 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
😻
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love rice pudding, and this one sounds delectible!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. It was really good. 🙂
LikeLike