Tropical Fruit and Rice Mould
Tropical Fruit and Rice Mould
A light molded rice pudding set with gelatin and yogurt, flecked with pineapple and lime, turned out and filled with fresh tropical fruit.
Prep: 20 minutes (plus 2 hours chilling) · Cook: 20 minutes
What Is Tropical Fruit and Rice Mould?
A light, molded rice dessert: rice cooked in skimmed milk, mixed with yogurt, pineapple and lime, set with gelatin in a ring mold, then turned out and filled with fresh tropical fruit.
Why Make Tropical Fruit and Rice Mould?
- A lighter, set take on rice pudding
- The ring mold makes an impressive centrepiece
- Yogurt keeps it fresh and tangy, not heavy
- Make-ahead — it sets in the fridge
- The fruit-filled centre is built-in drama
Unico Products Used in This Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup Italian style rice (plus 2 tbsp, rinsed)
- 3 3/4 cups skimmed milk
- 1 tbsp superfine sugar
- 4 tbsp white rum with coconut (or unsweetened pineapple juice)
- 3/4 cup plain yogurt (low-fat)
- 14 oz canned pineapple (chopped, in juice, drained)
- 1 tsp lime rind (grated)
- 1 envelope powdered gelatin (dissolved in 3 tbsp boiling water)
- mixed tropical fruit and lime wedges (to serve)
Instructions
- Place the rice and milk in a saucepan, bring to a boil, then simmer uncovered about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the rice is soft and the milk absorbed; transfer to a bowl and cool.
- Stir the sugar, rum (or pineapple juice), yogurt, drained pineapple and lime rind into the rice.
- Fold in the dissolved gelatin.
- Rinse a 1 1/2 quart ring mold with water, spoon in the rice mixture, press down well and chill 2 hours, until firm.
- Loosen the set rice with a small spatula and invert onto a serving plate.
- Decorate with lime wedges and fill the centre with assorted tropical fruits.
Cooking Tips
- Cook the rice until the milk is fully absorbed
- Cool the rice before folding in the gelatin so it doesn't seize
- Rinse the mold with water so the pudding releases cleanly
- Press the mixture in firmly to avoid air pockets
- Unmold just before serving and fill with fruit
Frequently Asked Questions About Tropical Fruit and Rice Mould
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1. Can I make it alcohol-free?
Yes — use unsweetened pineapple juice in place of the coconut rum.
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2. Why use a ring mold?
The well in the centre holds the fresh fruit for serving.
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3. How do I unmold it cleanly?
Rinse the mold first and loosen the edges with a spatula before inverting.
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4. Can I use full-fat milk?
Yes — the recipe uses skimmed to keep it light, but any milk works.
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5. What fruit fills the centre?
Passion fruit, mango, papaya, baby pineapple or carambola all suit it.
Cooking Guides & Tips
Tropical Fruit and Rice Mould Made Simple
Tropical Fruit and Rice Mould is rice pudding reinvented as a light, fruit-filled centrepiece. Unico Italian style rice gives it a tender, set body.