• Make-Ahead

Ingredients

1. 3/4 cup arborio rice
2. 1 1/2 cups water
3. 1/4 teaspoon salt
4. 2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon unsalted butter
5. 2 1/2 cups whole milk
6. 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar
7. 1 tablespoon orange-flower water (optional)
8. 1/2 cup blanched almonds

Directions

1. In a fine-mesh sieve, rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Transfer the rice to a medium saucepan. Add the water and salt and bring to a boil. Add 2 tablespoons of the butter, cover and cook over low heat until the water is almost completely absorbed, about 15 minutes. 
2. Stir in the milk and sugar and bring to a boil over moderate heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the rice is tender, about 7 minutes. Stir in the orange-flower water and simmer for 1 minute. Transfer the rice pudding to a bowl and let cool; the pudding will firm up. 
3. Meanwhile, in a small skillet, melt the remaining 1 teaspoon of butter. Add the almonds and cook over moderately high heat, stirring, until golden, about 6 minutes. Transfer the almonds to a plate to cool. Sprinkle the almonds over the pudding and serve.

Make Ahead

The rice pudding can be refrigerated overnight. Serve chilled or at room temperature.