Danish Christmas Rice Pudding

Directions

1. 1
   Preheat oven to 325°F.
2. 2
   Put milk, eggs, rice, sugar and salt into baking dish (nice glass cooking bowl or dish) and place in a hot water bath.
3. 3
   At the top of custard, add a few dashes of cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla extract. Add vanilla bean (if using) and cinnamon stick.
4. 4
   Cover and cook 2 1/2 to 3 hours, stirring occasionally. Remove vanilla bean and cinnamon stick after one hour of cooking. Pudding is done when rice is soft and custard is set (a slight jiggle).
5. 5
   Remove lid for the last 10 minutes of cooking to give a light golden color.
6. 6
   Put an almond in the rice pudding just before serving: According to the old Danish legend, whoever finds the almond at Christmas will have series of lucky adventures.
7. 7
   Serve warm or cold with whipped cream.