1 quart milk
1 pint heavy cream
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 vanilla bean, split
3/4 cup long grained rice
1 cup granulated sugar
1 egg yolk
1 1/2 cups whipped cream
raisins (optional)

In a heavy saucepan, mix together milk, cream, salt, split vanilla bean and 1/2 of the sugar and bring to a boil. Reduce heat.

Stir in the rice and simmer, covered, over very low heat for 1 1/2 hours until Rice becomes tender. allow to cool and remove the vanilla bean. stir in remaining sugar and the yolk of one egg.

Stir in whipped cream, reserving two tablespoons. scoop pudding into individual ovenproof serving dishes or one large soufflé dish. Stir in raisins, if desired.

Preheat broiler.

Spread a thin layer of the reserved whipping cream on top, and broil until the pudding is browned lightly. Chill several hours before serving.