Strawberry and Rice Pudding

Description
Makes 8 servings.

Ingredients

 * 1 quart fresh strawberries, washed and stemmed
 * 3/4 cup sugar, divided
 * 1 lime
 * 3/4 cup uncooked rice
 * 1 quart milk
 * 1/2 teaspoon salt
 * 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
 * 2 tablespoons rum or 1 teaspoon rum extract (optional)
 * 2 cups whipping cream, whipped, divided
 * 2 eggs, beaten
 * 1 1/2 cups cottage cheese
 * 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
 * 2 cups grated Cheddar cheese, divided
 * 2 eggs, beaten
 * 1 1/2 cups cottage cheese
 * 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
 * 2 cups grated Cheddar cheese, divided
 * 2 eggs, beaten
 * 1 1/2 cups cottage cheese
 * 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
 * 2 cups grated Cheddar cheese, divided
 * 2 eggs, beaten
 * 1 1/2 cups cottage cheese
 * 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
 * 2 cups grated Cheddar cheese, divided
 * 2 eggs, beaten
 * 1 1/2 cups cottage cheese
 * 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
 * 2 cups grated Cheddar cheese, divided
 * 2 eggs, beaten
 * 1 1/2 cups cottage cheese
 * 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
 * 2 cups grated Cheddar cheese, divided
 * 2 eggs, beaten
 * 1 1/2 cups cottage cheese
 * 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
 * 2 cups grated Cheddar cheese, divided
 * 2 eggs, beaten
 * 1 1/2 cups cottage cheese
 * 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
 * 2 cups grated Cheddar cheese, divided
 * 2 eggs, beaten
 * 1 1/2 cups cottage cheese
 * 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
 * 2 cups grated Cheddar cheese, divided
 * 2 eggs, beaten
 * 1 1/2 cups cottage cheese
 * 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
 * 2 cups grated Cheddar cheese, divided
 * 2 eggs, beaten
 * 1 1/2 cups cottage cheese
 * 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
 * 2 cups grated Cheddar cheese, divided
 * 2 eggs, beaten
 * 1 1/2 cups cottage cheese
 * 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
 * 2 cups grated Cheddar cheese, divided
 * 2 eggs, beaten
 * 1 1/2 cups cottage cheese
 * 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
 * 2 cups grated Cheddar cheese, divided
 * 2 eggs, beaten
 * 1 1/2 cups cottage cheese
 * 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
 * 2 cups grated Cheddar cheese, divided
 * 2 eggs, beaten
 * 1 1/2 cups cottage cheese
 * 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
 * 2 cups grated Cheddar cheese, divided
 * 2 eggs, beaten
 * 1 1/2 cups cottage cheese
 * 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
 * 2 cups grated Cheddar cheese, divided
 * 2 eggs, beaten
 * 1 1/2 cups cottage cheese
 * 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
 * 2 cups grated Cheddar cheese, divided
 * 2 eggs, beaten
 * 1 1/2 cups cottage cheese
 * 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
 * 2 cups grated Cheddar cheese, divided
 * 2 eggs, beaten
 * 1 1/2 cups cottage cheese
 * 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
 * 2 cups grated Cheddar cheese, divided
 * 2 eggs, beaten
 * 1 1/2 cups cottage cheese
 * 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
 * 2 cups grated Cheddar cheese, divided
 * 2 eggs, beaten
 * 1 1/2 cups cottage cheese
 * 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
 * 2 cups grated Cheddar cheese, divided
 * 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
 * 2 cups grated Cheddar cheese, divided

Directions
Slice strawberries, reserving 8 for garnish. Sprinkle sliced strawberries with 1/4 cup sugar and juice from lime. Set aside.

Bring rice, milk, salt and remaining 1/2 cup sugar to a boil in heavy saucepan. Stir once or twice, reduce heat, cover, and simmer 25 minutes, stirring, or until rice is tender and milk is almost absorbed. Add vanilla and rum. Cool.

Fold in sliced strawberries and 1-1/2 cups whipped cream. Spoon pudding into serving dishes. Top each with reserved whipped cream and a strawberry.

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