A warm taste of nostalgia: Mastering baked rice with apples

Baked rice with apples is one of those dishes many of us associate with childhood. This simple yet flavourful combination evokes the warmth of a family kitchen. Traditional recipes passed down through generations make rice with apples still hugely popular, not only as a dessert but also as a hearty meal for the whole family.

The popularity of rice with apples comes from its simplicity and the availability of ingredients. Rice, apples, and spices form the basis of this recipe, which can be prepared in many ways by adding your favourite ingredients. In this way, even the simplest recipe can become a unique culinary masterpiece that your family will love.

Preparing rice with apples doesn't require complicated ingredients. The basic components are rice, apples (preferably several varieties), and milk. To prepare the dish, we need about 1 cup of rice, 1 kilogram of apples, about 2 cups of milk, and a handful of walnuts as an optional addition to enrich the taste and add crunchiness.

Additions like cinnamon and vanilla sugar give the dish a unique aroma. A pinch of salt enhances the sweetness of the other ingredients, and butter, which we use to grease the dish, prevents sticking and adds creaminess. Of course, everyone can make their own modifications by adding favourite spices or other fruits to create a unique version of this classic dish.

Start preparing rice with apples by cooking the rice. Pour milk into a pot and add vanilla sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Cook the rice on low heat until it's soft and absorbs the milk, which should take about 15 minutes. In the meantime, peel and grate the apples. Melt butter in a pan and add the grated apples with the remaining sugar and cinnamon. Fry on low heat until the apples are soft.

After frying, the apples gain an exceptional taste thanks to the cinnamon. So prepared, the apples will be an excellent addition to the rice, which has already absorbed the spices during cooking.

When all the ingredients are ready, it’s time to combine them. Grease a baking dish with butter, then layer the ingredients inside. Place half of the rice at the bottom of the dish, then a layer of apples, and finally the remaining rice, creating layers.

Next, bake the dish in an oven preheated to 180°C for about 25 minutes. This will allow the top layer to brown and all the ingredients to combine.

Baked rice with apples is a dish that can be served in many ways, ensuring it never gets boring. It can be enjoyed on its own to savour the simplicity and classic taste or enhanced with various toppings for a new dimension. A great idea is to serve the rice with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.