Traditional Dutch rice tart (rijstevlaai)

Why this dinner works

Most weeknight one-pot dinners ask you to choose between two evils: a five-ingredient bowl that tastes like the inside of a saucepan, or a recipe so layered it eats your entire evening. Traditional Dutch rice tart (rijstevlaai) sits comfortably in the middle. It draws on International traditions where building flavor in stages — aromatics, then spice, then the slow swell of liquid into starch — is just how dinner gets made on a regular Tuesday.

The whole thing comes together in about 41 minutes in a single skillet, which means dinner from idea to table is shorter than most podcast episodes. We've leaned on the everyday 14 ingredients listed below, but in the notes after the recipe you'll find the small swaps and shortcuts that make this dish forgiving when your fridge is half-empty.

Method

1. Step 1. Heat the oven to 180°C. For the dough, mix flour and sugar in a bowl. Heat the 100 grams of milk to lukewarm and dissolve the yeast in it. Let stand for a while until it starts to bubble. Then add to the flour along with the coconut oil and mix into a smooth dough. Let rise for 30 minutes, covered, in a warm place.
2. Step 2. Meanwhile, make the rice pudding by putting the rice with sugar, milk and vanilla extract in a saucepan. Add the cardamom, star anise and cinnamon. Bring to a boil and cook, stirring constantly. Take out the spices. In a small bowl, mix baking soda with lemon juice/apple vinegar. Stir well until baking soda is dissolved, then mix into the rice pudding.
3. Step 3. Roll out the dough on a floured work surface (it is very sticky, but don’t stress it will be fine) and line the bottom and edges of a greased mold with it. Spread the rice pudding over the bottom and bake for about 25 to 30 minutes.

Cook's notes

One pan, fewer dishes. Use the widest, heaviest skillet you own with a tight-fitting lid. The wider base means faster browning at the start; the lid traps the gentle steam that finishes the dish without scorching the bottom.

Salt as you go. Season the aromatics, season the protein, season the liquid before it reduces. By the time you taste at the end, the only adjustment is usually acid — a squeeze of lemon, a splash of vinegar, a final crack of pepper.

Make it ahead. Like most one-pot dinners with international roots, the leftovers are arguably better the next day. Cool quickly, refrigerate within two hours, and reheat gently with a splash of water or stock to loosen things back up.

Pairings & serving

This one feels best in a 6-bowl spread with a sharp green salad and something cold to drink. If you want to stretch it for unexpected company, double the liquid and a single starchy ingredient — rice, pasta, potatoes, depending on the recipe — and the whole pan grows without much extra work.

Watch it cooked

If you're a visual learner, there's a free walkthrough of this dish on YouTube.

Original recipe inspiration: source.