Farina Pudding "Pappchen" — Unwritten Recipes (2024)

Felicia Levinson

Farina, Lemon Peel

4 Comments

Felicia Levinson

Farina, Lemon Peel

4 Comments

Farina Pudding "Pappchen" — Unwritten Recipes (1)

Farina Pudding "Pappchen" — Unwritten Recipes (2)

Is there a food that is so comforting, so familiar that you are instantly transported back to your childhood? For me, that's my Grammie's Farina pudding or as we always knew it, "Pappchen". I love the way she wrote the recipe down for me--it's so European--so Grammie.

Farina Pudding "Pappchen" — Unwritten Recipes (3)

My grandparents and my mom actually emigrated to the US from England in the 1950's, but my grandparents were originally from Germany and thankfully escaped to London during WWII, both as teenagers. Though Grammie learned proper British English and never thought of herself as a German, some of the old World traditions still clung to her--like this delicious pudding, thankfully. For years, Grammie made this recipe for our family, often serving it in its chilled form as dessert with frozen raspberries or strawberries. When she stopped cooking several years ago, I sort of forgot about it, but in thinking about recipes to post, I have been going through my old recipe box and came across it. I've now made it three times in the last three days! I can't get enough of it!!

There are only five simple little ingredients in this, but oh, how they come together! Each spoonful is filled with a lemony creaminess that is so addictive. When hot, it's like the best breakfast cereal-thick and rich and satisfying. When chilled, the consistency is still soft, but more like a jello or cold souffle. It may not look like much, but who cares? Either way, it's delicious, so easy to make and healthy too! If you don't keep Farina in your pantry (and unless, you've got a baby, who really does?) get yourself to the store and pick up a box so that you can make this today.

Farina Pudding "Pappchen" — Unwritten Recipes (5)

Thanks for this recipe, Grammie and for all the other things you've done for me and everyone else in our family. I love you!

Makes 2-3 servings
Prep Time: 5 Minutes; Cook Time: 25-30 minutes

Ingredients

  • 3 cups milk ( I used 1% but you can use any kind)
  • 3 tablespoons sugar
  • pinch of salt
  • the peel of one lemon (try as hard as you can to make this one piece--it's easier to remove later on)
  • 1/2 cup Farina
  • 1 egg yolk

The Recipe

1. In a medium heavy weight saucepan, mix together milk, sugar, lemon peel and salt. Stir to dissolve sugar and bring to a boil over medium heat.

2. Add Farina slowly stirring constantly. When mixture comes to a boil again, lower the flame and cook for 3-4 minutes more, stirring constantly.

3. Then turn flame lower and continue to cook for about 15-20 minutes stirring every now and then--more "now than "then" according to Grammie. Mixture will thicken and become creamy and soft. Remove from the heat.

4. In a small bowl whisk egg yolk slightly. Add about 1/2 cup of the pudding mixture to the egg yolk, whisking constantly and then pour that back into saucepan and whisk it into rest of pudding mixture. The mixture will take on a nice golden tone.

5. If serving hot, carefully remove lemon peel and enjoy. If you want to eat this cold, pour the mixture into another container and let it cool to room temperature before removing lemon peel. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight. The pudding can be served on its own or with fresh fruit or thawed frozen raspberries or strawberries in syrup. This keeps for several days, chilled.

Enjoy!

Farina Pudding "Pappchen" — Unwritten Recipes (6)

Felicia Levinson

Farina Pudding "Pappchen" — Unwritten Recipes (7)
Farina Pudding "Pappchen" — Unwritten Recipes (2024)

FAQs

Farina Pudding "Pappchen" — Unwritten Recipes? ›

Cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens to the consistency of mayonnaise (about 3 - 5 minutes). Remove from heat and whisk in the butter and vanilla extract. Pour through the strainer to remove any lumps that may have formed during cooking.

How do you get lumps out of banana pudding? ›

Cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens to the consistency of mayonnaise (about 3 - 5 minutes). Remove from heat and whisk in the butter and vanilla extract. Pour through the strainer to remove any lumps that may have formed during cooking.

How do you whisk pudding? ›

I like to put the pudding mix in the bowl first and add the milk a little at a time, stirring or beating well after each addition, until you have smooth emulsion. Once the pudding mixture is smooth, add the rest of the milk and beat with your whisk as usual. Of course an electic mixer will help smooth it out as well.

What ingredient makes pudding thick? ›

It typically contains milk or cream, although there are non-dairy puddings made with plant-based "milk." Pudding is similar to custard in that they both can contain eggs and milk, but pudding is usually thickened with a starch, whereas custard is thickened by the eggs.

How do you keep pudding smooth? ›

  1. Be sure to whisk the dry ingredients thoroughly before adding water to avoid clumps.
  2. Stir constantly while the pudding simmers to prevent lumps from forming.
  3. Use a whisk to stir the pudding instead of a spoon for a smoother consistency.
Feb 9, 2021

Why do my bananas turn black in banana pudding? ›

While using acidic juice or a coating of honey can prevent browning, the way you construct your dessert also affects the bananas. For banana pudding, ensure you completely cover the layers of bananas with the pudding. Doing so forms a barrier between the bananas and the air, helping them stay fresh longer.

What is lumpy pudding caused by? ›

Lumpy pudding is often caused by insufficient mixing of the sugar and the cornstarch before adding the milk. Cornstarch or flour can be used to thicken pudding. To correctly bake custard, set the custard cups on a cookie sheet and bake on the center rack in the oven.

How do you thicken banana pudding without cornstarch? ›

Flour: All-purpose flour helps thicken the custard. Salt: A pinch of salt enhances the flavor, but it won't make the dessert taste salty. Eggs: Three beaten eggs add moisture and act as a binder. Milk: Use two cups of milk or your favorite milk alternative.

What can I add to pudding to make it better? ›

Sprinkle in chopped nuts, chocolate chips or baking spices like cinnamon or freshly grated nutmeg. Don't be surprised if folks go back for seconds! And you can always top with sprinkles, too. They make everything more fun!

Why do you put eggs in pudding? ›

The eggs in the pudding provide some moisture, as well as acting as binding agents. Eggs can also make the pudding a little bit lighter and the main risk is that without eggs the pudding could be a little rubbery in texture.

How do you make pudding solid? ›

Your best bet would be to mix a tablespoon of cornstarch and a teaspoon of sugar with some of the beverage and add it to the warm pudding. Heat it to a bubble and stir until it thickens.

How do you get rid of custard lumps? ›

If you notice lumps beginning to form in a custard, immediately pour it out of the hot pot into a bowl and pulse it with a handheld blender in five-second intervals until it is nearly smooth. This can take from 15 to 45 seconds, depending on how big the lumps are.

Why is my homemade pudding grainy? ›

If, while you are waiting for the milk mixture to simmer, you combine the sugar and eggs too early but do not whisk often, the sugar can start to coagulate the eggs, which will result in a grainy final texture.

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