ULTIMATE RICE PUDDING

Steps:

• In a saucepan heat water, milk, and salt. When liquid is almost boiling stir in rice and butter.
• Bring to boiling, immediately reduce heat and simmer, covered, over VERY low heat for 35-40 min (stirring every 5 min)until all the liquid is absorbed.
• Transfer rice into a large bowl.
• Scrape vanilla seeds into cream in saucepan and heat just until boiling.
• In a bowl whisk yolks and sugar and mix with heated cream (quickly, so it doesn't curdle).
• Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, for 5-7 min, until mixture coats a metal spoon.
• Pour 1 cup of hot sauce into rice and stir to blend (if using vanilla extract add now).
• Transfer remaining sauce to a bowl and refrigerate (tightly cover with plastic wrap).
• Chil several hours and before serving, stir remaining sauce into rice.