Rice Pudding
The Story
This recipe is not just about survival; it's about *comfort*. It's a small act of defiance that proves that "hard times" do not have to mean a joyless existence. It is made from the most basic staples: rice (often leftover from a previous meal), milk, and a little butter.
The key ingredient, however, is the "sweetener"—a small, precious amount of honey, maple syrup, or molasses. This one "luxury" asset transforms a pot of gruel into a dessert. It's a testament to the human spirit's need for more than just subsistence. It's about preserving human dignity, even (and especially) when times are tough.
The Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup cooked rice (leftovers are perfect)
- 2 cups milk
- 2 Tbsp. butter
- 3 Tbsp. honey, maple syrup, or molasses
- Pinch of cinnamon (if available)
- (Optional: 1/2 cup raisins)
Instructions
- Combine the cooked rice, milk, butter, and sweetener in a small saucepan.
- Cook over low heat, stirring *frequently* to prevent the milk from scalding and the rice from sticking.
- Simmer for about 20 minutes. The mixture will thicken as the rice absorbs the milk.
- (If using raisins, add them in the last 5 minutes).
- Serve warm. The pudding will continue to thicken as it cools.
The Economic Lesson
Principle: A successful system must account for the "Dignity Premium"—the human need for joy, not just survival.
A system that provides only for bare subsistence (like a top-down, centralized, purely utilitarian government program) is a failed system. It denies our very nature. Human beings are created by God to seek not just survival, but joy, beauty, and comfort. The "3 Tbsp of honey" is the "dignity premium."
This is the purpose of a free economy. It is not a cold, grim machine. It is a system that allows individuals to work and trade freely to earn *their own* "honey"—to raise their standard of living beyond the basics and provide comfort and joy for their families. This pursuit is not greed; it is a fundamental, God-given right.
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