Low Fat Mascarpone and Cherry Rice Pudding

I first had this at Rice to Riches in New York City. Amazingly, I found this simple recipe and it tastes just like the one in store!

Ingredients

• 6 cups skim milk
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 cup Arborio rice
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 3 tbsp confectioners sugar
• 10 oz unsweetened dried cherries
• 8 oz mascarpone cheese

Directions

1. In a medium saucepan, combine the milk, salt, rice and sugar.
2. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer covered for 60 minutes. Pay attention that the heat is high enough to maintain a simmer. After 60 minutes, the rice should have reached a creamy texture, with some liquid remaining in the saucepan.
3. Stir in vanilla, confectioners sugar, dried cherries and mascarpone, mix well.
4. Turn off heat, cover and let stand for 10 minutes.
5. Serve either slightly warm or cold. I prefer to let it chill in the fridge overnight before serving.