October is "National Dessert Month"!

Been waiting all year for this one!  What a good excuse to make some extra desserts!  If you've had a bad summer, maybe this will help ease the pain.
This recipe is one of those old-timey ones, that has its roots in the Pioneer Days.  It was something that was made easily out on the trail, where most of the ingredients were brought along.  It was a recipe used by many on cattle roundups, served out of their Chuck Wagon.

The origin of the name is associated with the dogs or puppies who helped round up the cattle or protect the camp or prairie home.

The basis for this particular recipe comes from 90+ year old, Freda, who is Almanzo Wilder's cousin.  She spent many years in her youth involved in the family Sheep Camp, trailing sheep from one state to another.

Farmer Boy Spotted Pup

Ingredients:

• 3/4 Cup of uncooked white rice (You can use pre-cooked if you have it on hand)
• 2 Cups of water
• 1/4 teaspoon of salt
• 2 Tablespoons of butter
• 3 Cups of milk
• 1/2 Cup of cream
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 - 3/4 Cup of sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon of ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 3/4 Cup of raisins

Directions: Cook the rice in a 2 or 2 1/2 quart pan of salted water with the butter, by placing the rice in a pan of water, bringing it to a boil.  Cover the pan and simmer for 20 to 30 minutes, till all the water is absorbed.  Add the milk and cream.  Simmer for 10 minutes with cover on the pan. *Be careful to not let it boil over.

In a bowl, stir together the eggs, sugar and cinnamon.  Add some of the rice into this mixture and then add the whole mixture into the cooking rice.  Simmer, covered, for another 5 to 10 minutes.   Stir in the raisins and flavorings.  Cover and let sit for 5 to 10 minutes, to soften the raisins.

This may be served warm or cold, topped with milk or not.  If you like, you could add chopped nuts too.

* Please note: This recipe has nothing to do with the stew that Freda told me about, which she was once served by a Native American relative.  They told her, "Dig deep, get dog!"

* Also note: No dogs were harmed in the making of this recipe. :)

If you make this, please let us all know, by leaving a comment here. Thanks. The Old Man in the Bib Overalls