Rice pudding fritters with rhubarb and winter strawberry jam

1.Combine milk, rice, butter, vanilla bean and seeds and lemon rind in a saucepan over medium heat and bring to the boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until rice is tender (20-25 minutes). Transfer to a bowl, cool to room temperature (30-45 minutes) and discard vanilla bean. Add sugar, flour, egg, rum, and baking powder, stir to combine and refrigerate until firm (4-6 hours; if the mixture feels a little too wet add 1 tbsp of plain flour until it comes together).

2.For rhubarb and strawberry jam, place rhubarb, strawberries and 50ml water in a saucepan over medium heat. and cook partially covered, stirring frequently, until rhubarb is tender (12-15 minutes). Add sugar and lemon juice and cook until mixture reaches setting point (15-20 minutes; see cook’s notes p177). Set aside to cool.

3.Heat oil to 180C in a deep-fryer or deep saucepan. Deep-fry heaped tablespoonfuls of batter in batches until golden (2-3 minutes; be careful, hot oil will spit). Dust with icing sugar and serve with rhubarb and strawberry jam.