That time when you need a hug; or when it is cold, the best thing for feeling better is eating comforting food, and if it is sweet better.
Arroz con Leche or rice pudding is, undoubtedly, the most cheering food in the world. Sweetness, creamy texture, spices intense flavor are the sensations you will taste in your mouth. With all these aspects, it is almost impossible for you can’t feel joyful.
Rice: Arroz con Leche main ingredient
Rice is everywhere. This is the most consumed staple food in the world. Almost half the world’s population includes it in their daily meals. Its blank flavor eases to combine with any ingredient, and its affordability makes rice the preferred food in all houses.
Several countries indeed have this noble grain as the main ingredient of their traditional food. Some examples include Spanish Paella, Italian Risotto, Mexican red rice, and Japanese Sushi.
However, it is not all about savory preparations. The versatility of this grain also allows for making delicious sweet dishes, beverages and alcoholic drinks.
Rice can easily absorb any flavor you add to it. Sugar, milk, and spices are perfect combinations for making a delicious sweet preparation. These elements makes Arroz con Leche or rice pudding the best example of taking advantage of rice’s excellent features.
Learning about Arroz con Leche
The vast popularity of rice has enabled each country to create unique versions of this tasty pudding. These versions differ in the ingredients, cooking method, way of eating, and extra flavorings included.
The basic ingredients of a traditional Arroz con Leche are rice, milk, sugar, vanilla extract, and cinnamon. Mexico, Venezuela, Cuba, Peru, and Colombia have prepared this traditional rice pudding for eating as an afternoon snack. Some people cook it as breakfast or the ideal dessert after copious meals.
Countries have adapted this basic version by adding typical ingredients of their region. In India, it is called Kheer. Rice is cooked with coconut milk and flavored with cinnamon, raisins, pistachios, or almonds.
Rizogalo is the Greece version of this exquisite desert. It has rice, whole milk, sugar, cinnamon, eggs, and cornstarch to make it thicker. In Thailand, rice pudding is named Khao Neeo Mamuang. This variation has a sticky texture flavored with sweet coconut sauce and fresh mango.
Cooking Arroz con Leche
If you feel a bit down, it could be difficult to decide the right recipe for making the one that will improve your mood. It is easier if someone takes a cup of delicious Arroz con Leche to your comfortable bed. But if it is not possible, you have two choices: make the traditional recipe or go for the quick way with an instant recipe.
Cooking the traditional recipe will give you the opportunity of learning something new and this can help to cheer you up. Check the one at mahatmarice.com/recipes/arroz-con-leche/ or prepare the following recipe.
Traditional Arroz con Leche
Ingredients (4 servings):
- 1 cup of long-grain rice.
- 6 cups of whole milk.
- 1/2 cup of sugar.
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
- 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract.
- Ground cinnamon to taste.
Preparation:
- Rinse rice in water until the water is clear. Set aside.
- In a big saucepan, pour 3 cups of whole milk.
- Add sugar and salt. Combine very well.
- Heat at over medium-high temperature until boiling.
- Incorporate rice, mix and reduce the heat.
- Cook for 1-hour stirring occasionally.
- When the mixture starts to thicken, turn off the heat and add the remaining 3 cups of milk, vanilla, and ground cinnamon. Combine all elements.
- Serve warm with extra cinnamon on the top. Or, if you prefer, refrigerate and let it cool.
The quicker recipe is made with instant rice. The flavor is the same but cooked faster and easier.
Quick and easy rice pudding
Ingredients (4 servings):
- 1 cup of instant rice.
- 3 cups of whole milk.
- 1/4 cup of caster sugar.
- 1/4 teaspoon of salt.
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
- Ground cinnamon to taste.
Preparation:
- Incorporate rice, milk, sugar, and salt in a large saucepan. Mix very well.
- Heat at medium temperature until the mixture boils.
- Reduce the heat to low.
- Stir constantly.
- Once it starts to thicken, add vanilla extract and ground cinnamon. Combine.
- Remove from the heat.
- Let set for 30 minutes.
- Serve warm with ground cinnamon sprinkled on the top.