Arroz con Leche I

Description
Rice puddings are typical all throughout the Mediterranean. In Morocco, the rice pudding is made with almonds and aromatised with orange blossom water. In Portugal, the dessert (in Portuguese, called “Arroz Doce”) is made with lemon and cinnamon and indeed in Spain, this dessert recipe is made with rice, milk, lemon and cinnamon. Arroz con Leche is probably the most typical Spanish dessert, literally found everywhere from the misty green hills of North-western Galicia, to the arid, Moorish south.



Ingredients

 * 1 ? liter Milk
 * 200 grams of short round Arborio rice (or paella rice/risotto rice)
 * 100 grams of Sugar (white or brown, depending on preference)
 * 250 ml Water
 * ? teaspoon of Salt
 * Grated Zest of one Lemon
 * Ground Cinnamon
 * 1 Cinnamon Stick (for Boiling)
 * Cinnamon Sticks (for Garnish)

Directions
Place the water, rice, cinnamon stick, lemon zest, salt and sugar in a saucepan or pot and bring to a boil. When boiling, lower heat, cover and let simmer until the water is nearly all absorbed (keep checking every minute, so as not to burn). Add the milk when most of the water has absorbed and continue cooking until the rice is extra tender and “bloated”. Stir and the texture should be creamy. Add a splash more milk if necessary (whole fat). Remove the cinnamon stick. Serve the Arroz con Leche warm (or chilled), and garnish with cinnamon powder on top and cinnamon sticks on the side. This dessert is delicious with Spanish dessert wines.