Spanish Rice Pudding (Arroz Con Leche)
Spanish rice pudding, called arroz con leche, is flavored with lemon and cinnamon and enjoyed hot or cold. Try this authentic, traditional recipe.
- Preparation:
- Cooking:
- Total:
- Serves: 4 persons
Ingredients
- 3cups water
- 1 ½cups medium-grain rice (or pearl rice)
- 2cups whole milk
- ½cup sugar
- 2ounces unsalted butter (or margarine)
- 1cinnamon stick
- Peel of 1/2 lemon
- Optional: 1 to 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Instructions
Step 1
Gather the ingredients.Step 2
Pour water into a large saucepan and bring to a boil.Step 3
Add the rice. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for about 10 minutes. Turn off the burner and allow the rice to sit in the pot of water.Step 4
Pour milk into another large saucepan and add sugar. Turn the burner to medium-low heat.Step 5
Stir until sugar is completely dissolved.Step 6
Bring milk to a boil over medium heat, being careful that it does not boil over.Step 7
While you are waiting for the milk to boil, drain the water from the rice.Step 8
Once the milk boils, add the drained rice, butter, cinnamon stick, and lemon peel. Allow to gently boil for about 15 to 20 minutes, until rice is soft.Step 9
Remove cinnamon stick and lemon peel.Step 10
Remove from heat and pour rice pudding into a serving dish.Step 11
Sprinkle the top with ground cinnamon. Allow it to cool for 15 minutes before serving because the mixture retains a lot of heat.Step 12
Arroz con leche can be served warm or cold. If you want to serve it cold, allow the rice mixture to cool down in the serving dish for 20 minutes, then refrigerate at least 1 hour.