Velvet Rice Pudding with Strawberry Sauce

Description
Makes 8 servings.

Ingredients

 * 12 ounces (1½ cups) cottage cheese or ricotta cheese
 * 2 cups milk, divided
 * 3 cups cooked rice
 * ½ cup sugar
 * ¼ teaspoon salt
 * 1 tablespoon grated lemon peel
 * 2 eggs, beaten
 * 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
 * 3 cups fresh strawberries, sliced, divided
 * ½ cup red currant jelly
 * ⅛ teaspoon salt
 * 2 to 3 drops red food coloring

Directions

 * 1) Process cottage cheese in blender until smooth.
 * 2) Transfer to 3-quart saucepan; stir in 1½ cups milk, rice, sugar, salt and lemon peel.
 * 3) Cook over medium heat about 20 minutes or until thick and creamy, stirring often.
 * 4) Combine eggs and remaining ½ cup milk. Stir into rice mixture.
 * 5) Cook 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Add vanilla. Cool.
 * 6) Purée 1 cup strawberries. Combine with jelly, salt and food coloring.
 * 7) Heat to boiling. Stir in remaining 2 cups berries and cook 1 minute.
 * 8) Chill. Spoon pudding into serving dishes. Top with strawberry topping.