Vanilla Rice Pudding with Poached Rhubarb

1. Warm your oven to 140°C/Fan 120°C/Gas 1. Tip the rice into a large ovenproof pan. Add the butter, 125g sugar, 1 tsp vanilla extract, the milk and double cream. Stir well to combine, then put the pan onto the hob. Warm til the mix starts to simmer, then transfer the pan to the oven. Cook the rice pudding for 2-2½ hrs, till the rice is soft with a slight wobble and a brown crust has formed on top.

2. While the rice pudding is cooking, trim the ends off the rhubarb and peel away any stringy edges. Chop the rhubarb into 2cm-thick slices and tumble them into a medium pan. Pour in 4 tbsp cold water and squeeze in the juice from the lemon. Spoon in 4 tbsp sugar and stir well. Pop the pan on a medium heat and cook for 10 mins, stirring occasionally, till the rhubarb has softened. Remove the pan from the heat and allow to cool.

3. Serve the rice pudding warm or cold, topped with generous amounts of poached rhubarb.