Marian's Rice Pudding

Our Christmas eves were marked by a traditional Swedish supper before we raced off to a service at church. Upon our return we'd put on Handel's MESSIAH and enjoy this rice pudding, warm and topped with Swedish lingonberries.

4 c milk
1/2 c sugar
1 c uncooked rice or 2 c cooked rice
4 eggs
1 t vanilla
1 t almond extract
pinch salt
nutmeg

Combine 3 c milk and sugar in saucepan. Heat and stir until sugar is dissolved. Add rice. Simmer until rice is soft. (You may want to add some butter.)

Separate 4 eggs. Mix yolks with 1 c milk. Add to heated milk, sugar, and rice mixture, and cook until thick. Add vanilla, almond extract, and salt. Beat egg whites until stiff. Fold into rice mixture. Pour into casserole dish and sprinkle with nutmeg.

Bake at 350 in another pan of water until set, about 20--30 minutes. Do not overbake.