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Porkkanalaatikko
Carrot and rice casserole
Porkkanalaatikko: Finnish baked Christmas carrot and rice casserole
A Finnish Christmas Eve table is set with a row of oven-baked casseroles called laatikot, and porkkanalaatikko, the carrot one, is the children's favourite. Grated carrots are folded into soft rice porridge with milk, egg and a spoon of golden syrup, then baked until the top is caramel-brown with a ring of crisp edge. It is served hot beside the ham or, in vegetarian homes, with beetroot salad and potatoes. It can be made a day ahead and reheated. Chef's tip: use the rice porridge cold, so it holds the egg mixture and the casserole sets into soft, sliceable layers instead of a runny mash.
- Total time
- 85 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 8
Ingredients
For the porridge
- 3 ½ oz short-grain (pudding) rice
- ¾ cup water
- 2 cups milk
For the casserole
- 1 ⅓ lb carrotspeeled and finely grated
- 2 eggs
- 2 tbsp golden syrup
- 1 tsp salt
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 pinch ground white pepper
- ⅔ oz butterfor the dish and the top
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Method
0/6 doneStep 1: Simmer 3 ½ oz short-grain (pudding) rice in ¾ cup water until the water is absorbed, about 8 minutes, then add 2 cups milk and cook gently, stirring often, for 25–30 minutes until thick and creamy. Cool completely, ideally overnight.
35 minStep 2: Heat the oven to 350°F (325°F fan) and butter a 2-litre baking dish with half of ⅓ oz butter.
Step 3: Beat 2 eggs with 2 tbsp golden syrup, 1 tsp salt, ¼ tsp ground nutmeg and 1 pinch ground white pepper, then stir in the cold porridge and 1 ⅓ lb carrots until evenly mixed.
Step 4: Spread in the dish, smooth the top, make a criss-cross pattern with a spoon and dot with the rest of ⅓ oz butter.
Step 5: Bake for 50–60 minutes, until the top is golden-brown and the centre no longer wobbles when you shake the dish. A common mistake is using hot porridge, which scrambles the eggs and makes a watery casserole.
55 minStep 6: Leave for 10 minutes before serving so it firms up a little.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 180 kcal
- Protein
- 6 g
- Carbs
- 26 g
- Fat
- 6 g
- Fibre
- 3 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does porkkanalaatikko take?
- About 85 minutes in total: 25 minutes to prepare and 60 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 8 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- Can I make it ahead?
- Yes. It keeps well, so you can cook it earlier in the day or the day before and reheat it.
- What can I use instead of milk?
- Oat, soy or almond milk, same amount (use unsweetened for savoury dishes).
- What can I use instead of carrots?
- Parsnip or sweet potato, same weight.
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