Cooking on a woodstove - includes recipes

Cut into wedges, lift from pan, and serve warm. Makes 6 to 8 servings.

Rice Pudding

You can cook this pudding in several hours in simmering water, or, with certain precautions, overnight with the same arrangement of pans on a stove that will keep a fire through the night. About 3 cups milk 1/3 cup short-grain rice, such as pearl 1/4 cup sugar 1/2 teaspoon vanilla 1 cinnamon stick (about 2 in. long)

To steam on a woodstove, first fashion a harness out of string for a 2- to 3-quart deep metal or heatproof bowl, so the bowl is easy to lift (or have wide tongs to lift the bowl). Mix together in the bowl 3 cups milk, rice, sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon stick. Cover securely with foil.

Choose a pan several inches deeper and wider than the bowl. Set a rack or trivet 1 to 3 inches above the pan bottom. Add water up to, not covering, the rack.

On a stovetop at 300 [deg.] to 500 [deg.], bring water to simmering; lower bowl of pudding mixture onto rack. Cover water pan and simmer until pudding is thick and rice is creamy to bite, 3 to 4 hours. If water boils, elevate pan on a 1/2- to 1-1/2-inch metal trivet to maintain a simmer. Add hot water as needed to keep pan from boiling dry.

To cook on a woodstove overnight, you need a stove that can be fueled and closed down to keep the stovetop hot for 10 to 12 hours and the pudding hot enough to avoid spoiling.

Prepare pudding as directed for steaming; add boiling water to pan, and set pan on stovetop. Cook 6 to 8 hours. When you open the pan, water should be steaming and the pudding hot to touch. If temperature in center of pudding is below 120 [deg.], discard mixture, as harmful bacteria have developed.

To bake in an oven, stir 3 cups milk, rice, sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon stick together in a 9-inch-square baking dish or a 2- to 3-quart shallow casserole. Cover and bake in a 300 [300] oven until thick and light golden color, about 3 hours. (Or you can bake the pudding uncovered; an amber, caramel-flavored skin will form on top.)

Stir pudding; serve warm. If thicker than you want, stir in more milk to desired consistency. Makes 4 cups, 4 to 6 servings.

Woodstove safety and legality

If you're installing a new woodstove or have concerns about the safety or legality of your present one, we suggest that you read "Ready for a woodstove?" on page 120 of the November 1984 sunset.

COPYRIGHT 1988 Sunset Publishing Corp.
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group