Even though Chef Josef Centeno is no longer behind the stoves at Little Tokyo’s Lazy Ox Canteen, his culinary legacy endures through his signature rice pudding, which has remained a menu mainstay long after his departure.
The rice pudding begins with tender grains of Arborio rice scented with Mexican cinnamon and vanilla. Heavy cream, half-and-half, and sweetened condensed milk combine to create a thoroughly rich and creamy consistency. What takes this rice pudding straight to heaven is the freshly whipped cream that’s incorporated into the pudding at the last possible moment. It creates a light, almost airy profile that rice puddings rarely boast.
