When I read this recipe, my mind immediately multiplied 9" x 3-1/7 to get an approximate length for the strips, but at work I have a pi measuring tape, which I created for myself, which has inches that I marked off at increments multiplied by pi. I use this tape to measure a circumference, and the tape will tell me the diameter. I also have to scale a lot of the models I make by square root of 2, in order to get diagonal dimensions. Sometimes I get these confused and create over-scaled models that work better than my original intention. Lars

Home Cookin Chapter: Recipes From Thibeault's Table Creamy Coconut Cardamom Rice Pudding ==================================== adapted from Kate Zuckerman's The Sweet Life makes about 6 cups, serves 8-12 Rice: 1/2 cup + 2 tbsp jasmine rice or basmati rice 1/4 cup sugar 1 (13.5 fluid oz) can coconut milk 1 cup whole milk 1/4 tsp salt Custard: 16 cardamom pods 1/2 cup + 2 tbsp sugar 1 cup whole milk 2 cups heavy cream 5 egg yolks 1 egg 1 tsp vanilla extract 1. Cook the rice: Preheat the oven to 325F. Place the rice in a strainer and rinse with cold water. Place the rice in a heavy-bottomed medium-sized saucepan with 2 cups cold water. Bring the rice to a boil and immediately remove the pan from the heat. Strain the rice and discard the starchy water. Place the blanched rice back in the pan and add the sugar, coconut milk, milk, and salt. Bring to a boil, remove from the heat, and cover the pan with aluminum foil or the lid. Place the pan in the oven and bake until the rice expands and absorbs all liquids, 30 minutes. If the pan is not oven proof, transfer the rice to a metal or glass baking dish and cover with aluminum foil. If there is still runny milk in the pan, continue to bake, covered, for another 5 to 10 minutes. When the rice is done, remove it from the oven, leave it covered, and set it aside. 2. Make the custard: While the rice is baking, make the custard. Using the bottom of a small frying pan, crush the cardamom pods to split them open. (*I used a mortar and pestle.) In a heavy saucepan combine the cardamom pods and seeds, 1/2 cup of the sugar, milk, and cream and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Remove from the heat and allow the cardamom to steep for 10 minutes. In a mixing bowl, combine the egg yolks, egg, and remaining 2 tbsp of sugar and briefly whisk for 1 minute. Using a ladle, slowly whisk some of the hot cream into the egg mixture to warm it. Gradually pour the warmed egg mixture into the hot cream, whisking the cream constantly as you pour. Cook the custard over medium heat, stirring continuously and scraping the bottom with a rubber spatula or wooden spoon, until the custard thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon. Remove from the heat and strain the custard to remove the cardamom pods and seeds. 3. Combine the custard and the rice: Scoop the rice into a large mixing bowl. Pour the hot custard over the rice and, using a whisk, slowly whisk until all of the rice granules are dispersed evenly and the mixture is thoroughly combined. Add the vanilla extract. Allow the rice pudding to cool completely. This pudding will keep, refrigerated, for 3 days. Variation: "Brulee" Spoon pudding into ramekins and chill. Sprinkle sugar over top of custards and place under the broiler or use a torch to caramalize. . My Notes: Substituted a vanilla bean for the cardamom pods. I split a vanilla bean and scraped the seeds into the milk and cream, along with the sugar, brought to a simmer and left to steep for 10 minutes.

when I make a sour cream topping for my cheesecakes, I use 2 cups sour cream, 1/4 cup sugar, & 2 tsp. vanilla extract. If you like your topping a little sweeter, you can add more sugar to taste. But this is plenty sweet to our taste.

That sounds delish...I copied the recipe...