Are you ready to indulge in a dessert that will take your taste buds on a journey to Latin America? Get ready to explore the sweet and comforting flavors of Arroz Con Leche, also known as Rice Pudding. This traditional dessert is a staple in many Latin American homes and is famous for its creamy and delicious texture.

Originating from Spain, this dessert has taken several different versions throughout Latin America, each with their own unique twist of flavors. The traditional way to make Arroz Con Leche involves slow-cooking rice with sugar and milk until it becomes thick and creamy in texture. The dish is then flavored with cinnamon, vanilla, and lemon peel before being served.

As a chef specializing in both Brazilian and American cuisines, I have created a fusion recipe that will appeal to all food lovers. In this article, I will guide you through my Arroz Con Leche recipe, providing tips, tricks, and variations so that you can personalize the dish to your liking.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Welcome to my recipe for Arroz Con Leche, also known as rice pudding. This dish is an all-time classic favorite and I am excited to share with you why you’ll love it. The cooked long-grain white rice is simmered in whole milk and sweetened condensed milk until it has transformed into the ultimate comfort food. So why should you try this delicious dessert?

Firstly, it is incredibly easy to make! It requires only a few simple ingredients and minimal preparation. Most of the ingredients on this list are probably already in your pantry. All you need is some long grain white rice, milk, cinnamon, vanilla extract, salt, sugar and water – that’s it!

Secondly, the aroma of cinnamon and vanilla extract simply takes over your kitchen as the Arroz Con Leche is being prepared. The smell alone will have you drooling and feeling warm inside. Henceforth, making it a perfect dessert for holidays or any family gathering.

Thirdly, this dish is highly customizable. You can easily adjust the sweetness or creaminess to your liking by adding more milk or sugar respectively. If you want a vegan version of it, simply replace dairy milk with coconut milk or cashew milk.

Lastly, this dish is an excellent option for those who love desserts but are not fans of overly-sweet dishes. It provides just the right amount of sweetness without being overpowering.

In conclusion, Arroz Con Leche (Rice Pudding) is a classic dessert that never goes out of style. It is easy to prepare with customizable flavors such as cinnamon and vanilla extract or even lemon zest which adds an amazing zing to it. Try it today and experience pure bliss!

Ingredient List

Heat up your cozy winter nights with this creamy Arroz Con Leche recipe.

Let’s gather the essential ingredients for Arroz Con Leche, a delicious rice pudding recipe that originates from Mexico.

Rice

You can use long-grain white rice for this recipe. I recommend rinsing it through a strainer to remove any excess starch.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon is an essential spice in this recipe. You will need either 2 cinnamon sticks or 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon. It brings a warm, fragrant flavor to the dish, which perfectly complements the creamy sweetness of the pudding.

Milk

Mainly, you will need 4 cups of whole milk for this recipe. Whole milk gives a creamy texture and rich flavor to the rice pudding. For variations, you can also use coconut milk or evaporated milk, but whole milk is most commonly used.

Sugar

Sugar adds sweetness to the dessert. You will need 1/2 cup of sugar, but if you prefer more sweet pudding, add another 1/4 cup.

Water

Along with the milk, you will need 2 cups of water and an additional cup of water for pre-cooking the rice separately.

Lemon Peel

Adding lemon peel is optional, but it surely enhances both flavor and aroma in Arroz con Leche. Use half of a lemon peel with no pith as it adds a subtle hint of citrus without being overpowering.

Salt

Add just 1/4 teaspoon salt to balance out all flavors.

Vanilla Extract

Adding 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, elevate flavors even more, and bring in a scent of baking at your home kitchen!

The Recipe How-To

Sink your spoon into this classic Latin American dessert.

Now that we’ve gone through the ingredients, let’s get started with making this delicious Arroz con Leche recipe!

Step 1: Cook the Rice

Begin by rinsing the long-grain white rice under running water to remove any excess starch. Then, combine 2 cups of rice and 4 cups of water in a medium-sized saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring the water to a boil and reduce the heat to low, covering the pan with a lid. Allow the rice to cook for around 18 minutes or until all of the water has been absorbed.

Pro Tip: You can also use short grain rice in place of long-grain rice, but just remember that short-grain rice will result in a creamier texture.

Step 2: Prepare the Milk Mixture

While your rice is cooking, it’s time to prepare your milk mixture. In a separate large saucepan or Dutch oven, whisk together 2 cups of whole milk, 1 cinnamon stick, and 1 strip of lemon peel. Heat this mixture over medium heat until it comes to a gentle boil.

At this point, add in 1 can of sweetened condensed milk and continue whisking until combined. You can also use evaporated milk or coconut milk as substitutes.

Step 3: Combine and Simmer

Once you’ve combined your milk mixture, add in your cooked rice to the pot and stir everything together thoroughly. Increase your heat to medium-high and continue stirring until bubbles start to form on top.

Now it’s time to lower your heat down to low and let everything simmer for around 15-20 minutes or until the mixture thickens up. Don’t forget to stir occasionally during this process.

Step 4: Chill and Serve

When you feel like your Arroz con Leche is ready, remove the pot from the heat and let it cool for a few minutes. Then, remove the cinnamon stick and lemon peel and transfer your mixture into a large bowl or individual serving cups.

Cover the bowls with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour. When you’re ready to serve, dust some ground cinnamon on top of your Arroz con Leche for additional flavor.

Voila! Your delicious Arroz con Leche is now ready to be served.

Pro Tip: You can also try adding a splash of vanilla extract or a pinch of salt to enhance the flavors!

Substitutions and Variations

Have a taste of Mexico with our flavorful rice pudding recipe.

One of the beauties of cooking is that there are endless possibilities for experimentation and variation. Here are some ideas to mix up your arroz con leche recipe:

– Sweeteners: While sugar is the traditional sweetener for this rice pudding recipe, you can switch it up by using honey, maple syrup, or agave nectar. You may need to adjust the amount of sweetener depending on its level of sweetness.

– Dairy: If you don’t have whole milk on hand, you can use 2% or even skim milk. For a vegan version, substitute coconut milk for the dairy milk and use coconut cream instead of condensed milk.

– Rice: The recipe calls for long-grain white rice, but you can experiment with other varieties of rice such as short-grain or brown rice. Just keep in mind that different types of rice may require different cooking times.

– Spices: While cinnamon is a classic spice for arroz con leche, you can also add other spices such as cardamom, nutmeg, or ginger. You can even swap out the cinnamon stick for ground cinnamon powder if that’s what you have on hand.

– Toppings: Get creative with toppings! Try adding some fresh fruit like strawberries or bananas on top, or sprinkle some toasted nuts and seeds like almonds or sesame seeds for a bit of crunch.

The key to successful substitutions and variations is to experiment with small changes at a time so that you don’t end up with a completely different dish. Have fun and enjoy the process!

Serving and Pairing

This Arroz Con Leche recipe is the perfect way to end a spicy meal.

Arroz con Leche is a classic Latin dessert that is perfect for any occasion. It’s a comforting, homey dish that pairs perfectly with a variety of different flavors.

When it comes to serving, you can enjoy it hot or cold, depending on your preference. If you like it warm, let it sit for a few minutes before serving to allow the cinnamon flavor to infuse the rice. Alternatively, you can chill it in the fridge or serve it over ice cream for a sweet, cool dessert.

For a classic pairing, try adding fresh slices of banana, strawberry or mango on top – this combination creates an enticing tropical flavor. You could also sprinkle shredded coconut or nuts for some added crunch or drizzle some caramel sauce for an extra touch of sweetness.

If you are looking for a drink pairing, sherbet and sparkling water go great with this flavorful dessert, but if you want something a little fancier, try a glass of white wine or even champagne as it elevates the taste experience to another level.

Lastly, consider sharing with friends and family to maximize the satisfaction one gets from indulging in this sweet treat. With its sweet cinnamon notes and creamy texture, Arroz con Leche is sure to become your new go-to comfort food dessert!

Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating

Homemade Arroz Con Leche is the ultimate comfort food.

One of the best things about Arroz Con Leche or Rice Pudding is that it can be prepared ahead of time and stored for future enjoyment. If you have leftover rice pudding or want to make it in advance for a special event, storing it properly will ensure its flavor and texture remain intact.

To make ahead, allow the rice pudding to cool completely after cooking. Once cooled, transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days maximum. If you plan on storing it any longer than that, freezing is the best option. Transfer the rice pudding to a freezer-safe container with a tight-fitting lid and freeze for up to 3 months.

When ready to serve, remove the Arroz Con Leche from the refrigerator or freezer and let it thaw overnight in the refrigerator. After thawing, give it a good stir as some separation may have occurred. For reheating your stored Arroz Con Leche on the stove, add a splash of milk and reheat over medium heat until heated through. It is important to note that reheating too quickly over high heat may cause the milk to curdle or unevenly heat the mixture.

If you prefer reheating in a microwave, be mindful that microwaves vary in power levels and can consequently affect heating time. Start by microwaving it on 50% power for 1-2 minutes stirring frequently until heated thoroughly. Adjust accordingly if necessary but remember to never overheat your rice pudding.

Arroz con Leche is best enjoyed warm or chilled. Its flavors infuse more fully as it sits – this means leftover rice pudding will taste even better than when served freshly made!

Tips for Perfect Results

The creamy texture and cinnamon flavor of Arroz Con Leche is irresistible.

Now that you have all the ingredients for a delicious and creamy Arroz Con Leche recipe, let me share with you some tips to ensure that you get the best results possible.

1) Rinse your rice: Before cooking your rice, rinse it thoroughly in cold water. This will remove any excess starch and help prevent clumping.

2) Use a heavy-bottomed pot: A heavy-bottomed pot will help distribute heat evenly and prevent scorching at the bottom of the pot.

3) Add cinnamon stick and lemon peel: Adding a cinnamon stick and lemon peel during the cooking process will give the pudding a subtle hint of flavor that complements the sweetness of the recipe.

4) Take your time: Cooking Arroz Con Leche takes patience as you will need to allow the rice to soften and absorb all the liquid. Resist stirring too much as it can break down the rice and make it mushy.

5) Don’t overcook: The rice should be cooked but still have a slight firmness to it. It’s better to undercook than overcook, as you can always add more milk or water if needed.

6) Cool before adding milk: Once the rice has cooked, allow it to cool slightly before adding the milk. This will prevent curdling and ensure a smooth texture.

7) Make ahead of time: Arroz Con Leche tastes even better after it has had time to sit in the refrigerator. You can make it ahead of time, let it cool, cover it, and place it in the refrigerator for up to three days until you’re ready to serve.

By following these tips, you’re sure to end up with a perfect batch of Arroz Con Leche every time. Serve with a dash of cinnamon on top for an extra touch of flavor and enjoy this delicious dessert!

FAQ

Now, let’s address some frequently asked questions about this Arroz Con Leche (Rice Pudding) recipe. These common inquiries will help you feel more confident in the kitchen and ensure that your pudding comes out delicious every time. So, don’t hesitate to read through these FAQs before putting on your chef’s hat!

Which rice is better for rice pudding?

For an exquisite rice pudding that harks back to the good old days, choose long-grained converted white rice as your grain of choice. Arborio rice can also be used to make delectable rice pudding, but be aware that it may require a little more liquid to be added towards the end of the cooking process, as it has a tendency to absorb more liquid than other grains.

What’s the difference between arroz con dulce and arroz con leche?

When it comes to rice-based desserts, Arroz con Dulce and Arroz con Leche are two popular options. One key difference between the two is the type of rice used. Arroz con Dulce is usually made with short-grain rice, while Arroz con Leche is made with long-grain rice. Additionally, the flavor profiles of the two desserts differ. Arroz con Dulce features coconut and spices to give it a unique taste, while Arroz con Leche is flavored with milk and sugar.

Why is my arroz con leche still hard?

It is important to keep in mind that Arroz con Leche should not be kept in the refrigerator for more than 4 days. In case the rice is not fully cooked and dry after all the liquid has been absorbed, it is advisable to add ¼ cup of milk and ¼ cup of water, and let it simmer with the lid on. This recipe for rice pudding is naturally sweet, but if you prefer a less sweet dessert, you can adjust the amount of sugar used accordingly.

What is arroz en leche made of?

This recipe is for a scrumptious Mexican dessert that goes by the name of Arroz con Leche or Mexican Rice Pudding. It incorporates long-grain white rice, milk, sugar, and cinnamon sticks, resulting in a delectable pudding with a distinct Mexican flair.

Bottom Line

In conclusion, arroz con leche is a delicious dessert that you can make easily and quickly. It has a rich and creamy texture with a hint of cinnamon, making it the perfect sweet treat after dinner. With our recipe, you can make a classic Mexican-style arroz con leche, or experiment with different variations using your favorite ingredients. You can store your arroz con leche for up to three days in the refrigerator and reheat it in the microwave or on the stove. I hope that this recipe article has helped you discover the joys of arroz con leche and inspired you to get creative in the kitchen. So go ahead and try out our recipe, share it with your friends and family, and let us know how it turned out for you. Happy cooking!

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About Dora @ Kitchen on Cary

Dora

Dora is a chef well-versed in Brazilian and American cuisine. After a hard day's work in the kitchen of her restaurant, she finds the time to jot down recipes for her food blog. Her recipes are sure to delight foodies everywhere, as she strives to make each one unique and enjoyable to read.

Delicious Arroz Con Leche Recipe with a Latin Twist