The Proof is in the Echo Farms Pudding

A few days ago at the grocery store, I forgot to pick up more of my usual delicious Kozy Shack Original Rice Pudding before I headed upstairs to the organic floor. It seemed like too much effort to drag my basket downstairs, where the lines for the check out are usually longer anyway, so I figured I'd pick up something new. Echo Farm Pudding's Royal's Rice seemed to do the trick. It was not terribly expensive (under $3 for a 16 oz. vat, which is even cheaper than Kozy Shack if I recall correctly) and the product is Humane Certified. Nice.

Of course, what matters most is how it tastes, and I am pleased to say that it is pretty yummy. The pudding is not nearly as thick and creamy as Kozy Shack Original, but the rice felt good on my tongue anyway. It has the perfect balance of cinnamon, vanilla, and nutmeg, which is why I think I liked it so much. I would definitely buy this again. It comes in individual servings, too, which makes it good to pack with lunch. I am also very intrigued by the other flavors advertised on the Echo Farms website, which includes Indian Pudding (as in Native American Indians, not Indian Indians) and Coconut Cream. Mmmmm....

Quick Impressions

Yogurts

Wallaby Yogurt: The least favorite of all the yogurts I have eaten and reviewed thus far, Wallaby is merely OK at best. I tried the organic nonfat Strawberry Guava flavor, which was pre-mixed. It was not too sweet, but oddly gelatinous. In so many ways, it reminded me of Yoplait, from the pre-mixed to the consistency, and maybe even the taste a little bit. There was something weirdly artificial about it, although it is an all-natural yogurt. It is way healthier than Yoplait, though, and I'd definitely select Wallaby over Yoplait, Dannon, or any non-organic yogurt. Maybe my impressions were skewed by the fact that I ate it on a Greyhound bus. I think it is only fair to try another flavor at some point.

Redwood Hill Farm Goat Milk Yogurt: In a previous review, I revealed my love for the apricot mango flavor of Redwood Hill Farm Goat Milk Yogurt, and this time I indulged in cranberry-orange. It was just as delicious, rich, and perfectly sweet as the apricot-mango. Plus it had that undertaste of goat cheese that is weird, but also just right. I wish it more calcium and fiber, though.

Puddings

Rice to Riches: Last week, I had the pleasure of meeting up with fellow Live Active Cultures contributor Count Mockula's mom and step-dad in New York City. We went to Rice to Riches, which is a rice pudding restaurant. This place sets the bar high for rice pudding. All rice pudding is made with sushi quality rice, and they come in a variety of wild flavors. I had the marscapone with cherries, Count Mockula's mom had the hazelnut chocolate, and her step-dad had a small portion of chocolate chip. The portions are huge and about $5, and by the time I finished mine, I was a little nauseated. Customers looking for more basic flavors, like chocolate chip or cinnamon raisin, can get smaller portions for about half price. It's amazingly decadent, and I love Rice to Riches.

Pudding in "The New York Times"

Although all my posts on this blog have thus far been about yogurt, my original plan was to also review delicious, creamy, thick, and luscious puddings. I adore pudding. Perhaps a decadent chocolate pudding garners less respect amongst dessert-a-holics than rich chocolate cake, but it (or any flavor pudding) is just about the perfect way to finish a meal (or have a snack) in my mind.

It seems like my enthusiasm for pudding is more than matched by Melissa Clark. Her article, "You Call That Pudding, Grandma?" in today's New York Times explores many mouth-watering versions of chocolate pudding. I want all of them, except for maybe the spicy flan.

Clark's article inspired me to get my act together and round up some puddings to write about. I was supposed to eat many delicious treacles, custards, and puddings while I was in London in March, but somehow managed to not eat anywhere in which these traditional treats were served. (Meaning: I ate at a lot of fast food places, although in retrospect, I bet Pret a Manger serves up something good. Their fresh yogurts, which I ate many of and neglected to review, are superb.) Back in the US, I've only had Kozy Shack rice (and once, accidentally although pleasaingly, tapioca) pudding. This is good stuff, but not as motivating to write about as the goat's milk yogurt that I have waiting for me at home. From now, on I pledge some pudding reviews.