Golden Apricot Rice Pudding

Description
Makes 6 servings

Ingredients

 * 2 tablespoons melted butter or margarine
 * 3 tablespoons firmly packed brown sugar
 * 2/3 cup dried apricot halves, plumped
 * 1/3 cup sugar
 * 1 1/3 cups scalded milk
 * 1 1/4 cups cooked rice
 * 1/4 teaspoon salt
 * 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
 * 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
 * 2 eggs, beaten
 * 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
 * Chocolate Sauce:
 * whipped cream for garnish
 * chocolate leaves for garnish
 * toasted almond slices for garnish

Directions
Drizzle butter evenly into 6 individual ovenproof molds. Sprinkle with brown sugar; arrange apricots over brown sugar. Stir sugar into milk; add rice. Stir in salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, eggs and vanilla; pour over apricots.

Place molds in pan half-filled with hot water; bake at 350 degrees 20 to 25 minutes, or until custard is set. Unmold immediately; let cool. To serve, place pudding on plate; spoon chocolate sauce around pudding. Garnish with whipped cream, chocolate leaves and almond slices.