Julegrot – Cozy Christmas Rice Pudding

[Music] This creamy rice pudding has been a part of Scandinavian Christmas tradition for hundreds of years. So, let’s show you how to make it. Welcome back to Eats History. Today, I’m cooking and rating uligrut, one of the most beloved Christmas dishes of Scandinavia filled with folklore, superstition, and family tradition. At first glance, this might just seem like a simple rice pudding. But in countries like Norway, Sweden, and Denmark, uligr is far more than just a meal. It’s a bridge between the pagan past and the Christmas present, between winter survival and holiday celebration. Before rice arrived in Scandinavia, people ate barley porridge cooked with water or milk, and it was a centerpiece of every major feast in the Norse world, from the Ule celebrations under the Viking age to the medieval Christmas tables. One story I love in connection of this dish are the Nissa, the household spirit gnomes of Scandinavian folklore. These little bearded guys were known to protect the home, the barn, and the family’s livestock, and you had to feed them well. According to the legend, if you didn’t give the Nissa his butter, he might become enraged and punished the household. Another fun aspect of this recipe is the hidden almond. At the Christmas gathering, an almond is stirred into the pot, and whoever finds it is said to receive good luck for the entire year. In Sweden, the winner might even receive a small marzipan pig. I love Christmas recipes like this because even though it’s so simple, it’s rooted in so much tradition and folklore, and that’s really what the holidays are all about. 8.5 out of 10.