Combine milk, sugar, rice and butter in a sauce pan and simmer until thick about 20 to 30 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Serves 4, or 2 rice pudding freaks. You can use only half the amount of sugar and substitute Half-and-half for the milk. In case a rice pudding binge leads you to dieting, try the recipe with 1/4 cup of sugar or granulated sugar substitute and skim milk or skim evaporated milk. It is still super. It makes the best rice pudding for the least effort of any we've tried. You may also try sprinkling 1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg over the top when serving.