Mama Reed’s Southern Style Rice Pudding
“Always set your table like the President is coming to dinner”. That was Mama Reed’s philosophy. Kind and generous mother of ten and my great grandmother, I’ve only known her through family stories.
My mother used to live next door to her as a child. She and her sister would find out what their mother was having for dinner and then what Mama Reed was making and choose which house they wanted to eat at! Mama said they chose Mama Reed’s house quite often. True to her own words, at each and every meal her humble table was set to the nines with all of her depression glass dinnerware, strategically placed worn silverware, and pressed glass tea glasses which had been purchased with peanut butter in them. They may not have had much, but they were proud and willing to share what they did have.
Mama told me a story about the Jewel Tea man coming one evening, right around supper time. Of course, Mama Reed invited him to eat but he had already eaten so she asked if he’d like a glass of tea. When he said he would, she realized that with a table full of guests already, she had poured out all of the tea and there was none left. Without a thought, she seated him in the living room and walked through the dining room towards the kitchen, grabbing up her untouched glass of tea on her way. In the kitchen, she took an empty glass and put a few ice cubes in it so it would sound as if she were making a new glass. She then appeared with her glass, giving it to him, and later poured glass of water for herself. That’s southern hospitality.
Of course, Mama Reed was an amazing cook. This is her special recipe for rice pudding. Like the other matriarchs in my family, she was adapt at making do with what ingredients were on hand and affordable, which made rice a regular ingredient for her cooking (even now, we all love a bowl of hot rice served with butter and sugar for breakfast). Most rice puddings are cooked in a pot on top of the stove, but our family has always baked rice pudding. When baked, it develops a wonderful custard and transforms into a rich and comforting dessert. This pudding would be served at dinner for dessert and any leftovers could be re-served for breakfast. True comfort food. I’m sure Mama Reed would be proud to know we’re still loving it today.
Actual recipe is at the bottom of this page.
After the first thirty minutes of baking, stir from the bottom.
As promised in a previous post, these are photographs of the view of the Tennessee River from my mother’s back porch.
There used to be a tree on that island. There have been several trees planted on that island recently, actually. Another one fell victim to the beavers this morning. 
There is a crane off to the left on the island, Mama said to tell y’all his name is “Leroy” and he lives there.
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Thats such a nice story Christy and a pretty view. Your right I cook mine on the stove and dont add raisins what a nice addition. Most people dont like rice pudding I just look at them and say your crazy right!!!
I LOVE the stories you tell to go with your recipes! Mama Reed sounds like a wonderful person. I also love rice pudding, so I will definitely give this one a try!
Hi there! My kids would love this rice pudding, I have been looking for a great recipe but so far I have not found one. I will give it a whirl!
Tina (Mommy’s Kitchen)- I had Rice pudding for a bedtime snack, morning breakfast, and lunch today!! Thank you for reading about my Mama Reed. Even though I never knew her, I’m still pretty proud
. What would my blog be without you, Tina? Honestly!
Stephanie: Thank you so much! You know, I sometimes wince a bit as I post, hoping y’all don’t think I was too long winded with my story telling!
I think all women love rice pudding. Have any of you ever known a woman who didn’t love it in some form? I’m curious. Oh lord, I gotta go make me some more now…
Noble Pig!
I am trying not to gush that you came to my blog…oh heck…GUSH!!!
Wow, thank you!!!
I appreciate you reading and taking the time to comment!
If you do make it, let me know how it turns out!
I bet my kids would love this rice pudding. Thanks.
LOVE the view from the porch! Makes me nostalgic for living on the lake near Knoxville!
Dee: Isn’t Knoxville the greatest little town? I just love going there!
I’m gonna go eat more rice pudding now! I use Splenda in mine so there is no guilt!
Christy
P.S. I just love comments!
I grew up on the Tennessee River and still go back frequently, I find solace in the peaceful little town and the water!
Christy,
))
Just wanted to let you know that I made Mama Reed’s Rice Pudding today and OMG it is WONDERFUL! I’m packin’ myself a little goody bowl of this to take with me to work tomorrow. Thank you so much for posting these recipes and the stories to go along with them. The stories make the recipes so very special.
PamandMikeD
~in dee by gawd Southern Maryland
Lisa – it is lovely, isn’t it? Living so near, we tend to take it for granted and don’t often sit and listen to the water like we should. I’ll try to do that next time I am at my mother’s now. Thank you for the reminder!
Pam – thank you for letting me know! I am SO THRILLED you liked her recipe and know Mama Reed is smiling down on us now.
I need to make me some soon….
Southern Maryland, reckon what y’all’s accent sounds like? ~hugs~
Thanks for reading and especially for commenting!!!
Christy
When I told my in laws I never ate rice growing up but with milk or sugar after dinner they thought I was crazy, even thought it was gross. YUM, thats what rice is for in the South, right?
PS, I am from a small town in between knoxville and chattanooga in TN, doubt yall ever heard of it though.
I’m from Palmyra talk about small !! lol I love your page!
Christy, I love your site and all the wonderful down home recipes– the storie all take me back down memory lane and to my own childhood which goes back alot futher than yours…I’m much older than you and the stories remine me so much of my grandma and my owm mama– their quote was ” waste not want not” and in our poor home front– we didn’t have any thing to waste, everything was put to use.. Cooking along with you puts me back in the kitchen with grandma and mama– I can still smell all the goodies from the kitchen!!!! Thanks for a wonderful site and for all the memories you bring back to this old lady.. You are a real doll for keeping alive your family memories… Love ya, Nana Dot
What a sweet story! I have always been a huge fan of rice pudding, and can’t wait to make it! I’m from the South, in NW Ga., so I can relate to your recipes. Haven’t seen one yet that didn’t sound delish!
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