Rice Pudding: It's Not You, It's Me

I've tried several rice pudding recipes over the years, I promise, including my grandmother's, and I have finally decided that rice pudding just isn't for me. I had actually decided this several years ago, but when I saw that Smitten Kitchen has a recipe that was basically sweet risotto (using arborio rice and everything) and could be served warm (I guess the others could, too, but it never occurred to me, and many of them don't thicken up until chilled), I decided to try it. I figured if I was ever going to like a rice pudding recipe, it would be this one.

It wasn't. I thought it was a texture problem, but eating it warm actually helped that. (I made a half batch and did not use a bay leaf because I didn't have any.) I did like it better than any other rice pudding I've ever had, but that means I just thought it was edible, not even good. (I took several bites of this one, as opposed to 1-2 bites of all those that came before.) I can't really put my finger on what it is I don't like, about this recipe in particular or rice pudding in general. It's just not working for me. And again, I don't think it's a problem with this recipe. I haven't liked any of the ones I've tried. Vanilla, almond, with or without eggs and/or butter and/or lemon zest, baked, stove top, fruit or no fruit.... it just doesn't seem to matter. I'm afraid rice pudding and I will just have to agree to disagree.

Currently feeling: just not feeling it