Creamy Rice Pudding as seen on George Hirsch Lifestyle

Enjoying time sharing food for the soul in-studio with Msgr. Jim at Telecare TV

Enjoying time sharing food for the soul in-studio with Msgr. Jim at Telecare TV

And, join me in February on Create TV and your local PBS station as I share warming comfort recipes and more!

Having really no economic barrier and universal appeal- I’ve seen rice pudding on restaurant menus from diners and joints (my favorite place to find RP) to high-end linen napkin on-your-lap digs. Personally I‘ve made more batches than I can even remember. Here are a few variations that come to mind; Rum Raisin, Berry, Pomegranate, Coconut Mango and Banana. Keep in mind, I made mega batches. I prepared rice pudding batches to feed a daily buffet for about 10,000 people with list of ingredients like; 18 gallons milk, 12 pounds of rice, 12 pounds sugar. . . 

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Creamy Rice Pudding from George Hirsch Lifestyle

Making a batch for 10 thousand or 10 hungry people at home is pretty easy, as most ingredients are probably already in the pantry and can even be made by using leftover plain cooked rice. 

Creamy Rice Pudding

Makes 2 cups, about 4-6 servings

chefgeorgehirsch.com | George Hirsch Lifestyle 

 3/4 cup uncooked short grain rice

1 1/2 cups water

1 1/2 cups milk

1/3 cup granulated sugar, or if using Turbino slightly less

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup milk

1 egg, beaten

1/2 cup raisins, plumped with dark rum or water 

1 Tablespoon butter

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon fresh grated nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

In a medium saucepan, add rice and water bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover and simmer gently for 20 minutes or until rice is tender. 

In a separate bowl mix 1 cup milk, salt, sugar and salt. Add to cooked rice and return to heat and gently simmer and stir for 15 minutes.

In separate bowl mix remaining 1/2 cup milk to beaten egg, plumped raisins, butter, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg.

 Stir egg mixture into milk and rice and simmer 2 additional minutes, stirring constantly. Serve warm or chill in small cups. Sprinkle small amount of granulated sugar on top to keep skin from forming.

Serve with fresh chopped fruit, toasted chopped nuts, whip cream or meringue.

TIPS:

Knowing your grains is important, as each type of rice will provide different results. Here are your options; long or short grain white rice, brown, basmati, or jasmine. Cooking times and consistencies will vary wildly, ok maybe widely. Long grain rice makes a pudding that is slightly drier and chewier than one made with short grain rice. While brown rice will be nuttier. Arborio rice is starchier and therefore can set up without addition of eggs. Cooking times will also depend on the type of rice, along with the amount of milk used. 

Other important tips: Do not combine any sugar to rice until the rice kernels are completely tender or the starch will begin to set and harden and will not become additionally tender. Do not use converted rice as it contains pre-gelatinized starch, which will not thicken rice properly. To keep a skin from forming over rice pudding, sprinkle a small amount of granulated sugar over the top as soon as you pour the pudding out of the pot.

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warm Apple Pear Tartelette

Tune-in GHL 7:30AM + 1:30PM Tuesdays and Thursdays on Create TV

Making homemade desserts can be intimidating if you are not a trained pastry chef. Solution, my Apple Pear Tartelette. When the apples and pears are ripe it’s time to pick & prepare. This tart is also a great last minute “I’m entertaining tonight dessert.” And, once you’ve made this a couple times you’ll want to strut your pastry 101 skills and whip it up in front of your guests. Enjoy!

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warm Apple Pear Tartlette from George Hirsch

George Hirsch’s Apple Pear Tartelette

Makes six servings

chefgeorgehirsch.comGeorge Hirsch Lifestyle TV series 

1/4 cup unsalted sweet butter

1 Tablespoon all-purpose flour

2 Tablespoons water + 2 Tablespoons white pure cane sugar

2 Tablespoons brown sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 medium size Granny Smith apples; peeled, cored and sliced + 2 medium size gala or a sweeter apple; peeled, cored and sliced + 2 Bartlett pears, peeled, cored and sliced

¼ teaspoon cinnamon 

pinch ground nutmeg 

1 store bought frozen puff pastry shells, baked  

Preheat sauté pan to medium temperature. 

Melt the butter in a saucepan. Stir in flour to form a paste. Add water, white sugar and brown sugar, and bring to a simmer. Reduce temperature and let simmer two minutes. Cool and mix with sliced apples.

Optional: 

Add 2 Tablespoons cranberries or toasted walnuts to apple filling.

In center of baked puff pastry, top with warm apple and pear filling. Serve with freshly whipped cream or ice cream.  

Quantity:
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Get Hooked with Restaurant Hunter

Tune-in GHL 7:30AM + 1:30PM Tuesdays and Thursdays on Create TV

I toured friends Rob Petrone, host of Restaurant Hunter TV series and on-air contributor Amanda Prince for an East End visit once again this year. However, this year I added some action..Reel Action! 

George Hirsch Oaklands Marina

We chatted up George Hirsch Lifestyle and how the land & water makes the East End such a beautiful place. So where do I bring these TV hosts whose day job is to visit restaurants, chefs and celebrities? Out to sea of course. But..first I schedule a meet up for breakfast in the Hamptons. Or better said the “un” Hamptons. We meet at Orlando’s Cafe, a Costa Rican spot in Hampton Bays to spice up the morning and enjoy a taste of Mexican, Thai, French and Chinese cuisines at the locals in-spot. 

Click on above dish to Watch Video + Enjoy Restaurant Hunter TV Segment 1

Click on above dish to Watch Video + Enjoy Restaurant Hunter TV Segment 1

Next, we head due south water-side to Oakland’s Marina + Restaurant and meet up with my friend, journalist + chef Alex Goetzfried. Oaklands is ideal for it’s access to both the bay and ocean fishing for our three hour.. Watch segment 2:

Click to Watch Video Restaurant Hunter TV Segment 2

Click to Watch Video Restaurant Hunter TV Segment 2

After our time at sea fishing it's dockside at Oakland's Restaurant to enjoy the fresh catch. How does Rob, Amanda + yours truly like the fish prepared?  Watch Seafood & Sunsets Segment 3:

Click above Watch Video + Enjoy Great Seafood in Restaurant Hunter TV Segment 3

Click above Watch Video + Enjoy Great Seafood in Restaurant Hunter TV Segment 3

Just another day with George Hirsch Lifestyle..cheers for stopping by Rob, Amanda and Restaurant Hunter Crew! 

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Gone Fishing

Home By The Sea
Today on Create TV George stirs the pot with his expert tips, preparing Seafood Chowder along with his spin on Shrimp Salad- a classic fish house dish; and tops it off with his signature Apple Berry Rhubarb Pie. George takes in some surf casting in Montauk, and shares the beauty of the East End waters for picturesque fishing. Clams and sunshine—an ideal combo for a pit-stop at a traditional clam bar. 

George Hirsch Lifestyle Fishing Montauk