October 7, 2021

Arroz Con Leche (Spanish Rice Pudding)

History & Origin

Arroz con leche is the Spanish version of rice pudding, but it is widely believed that this dish has origins in Moorish cuisine. The Moors invaded the Iberian Peninsula, which includes modern day Spain, in year 711 and occupied the region until they were completely driven out towards the end of the 15th century. The belief that the arroz con leche originated from Moorish influences stems from the fact that rice pudding recipes, such as mixtures that include cinnamon and rice, are part of traditional Arabic cuisine. During the Age of Exploration, the original recipe of the arroz con leche was brought to South America, where it gave way to many local variations.

Ingredients

Servings-4
2 cups whole milk	1 stick of cinnamon
1 1/2 cups short-grain rice	3 slices of lemon rind
Sugar to taste (or artificial sweetener)	1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 pinch of salt	3 cups water

Instructions

Rinse the rice under cold water and then put it in a saucepan over a medium heat, just barely covered with water.
Add the cinnamon stick and the lemon rind. Stir continuously until all the water is absorbed.
Pour milk into another saucepan and add sugar. Turn the burner to medium-low heat. Stir until sugar is completely dissolved.
Bring milk to a boil over medium heat, being careful that it does not boil over.
Once the milk boils, add the rice. Allow to gently boil for about 15 to 20 mins, until rice is soft.
Once it’s ready, turn off the heat and add a pinch of salt and a little cinnamon.
Sprinkle the top with ground cinnamon. Enjoy warm or let cool.

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 329.48kcal Carbohydrates: 51.38g Protein: 11.25g Fat: 8.45g Saturated Fat: 4.75g Cholesterol: 25mg Sodium: 119.74mg

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