Milk Rice (Gossi)

Ingredients

 * 2 cups short-grain rice (like Arborio)
 * 6 cups water
 * 4 1/4 cups milk
 * 1 pinch salt
 * 1/2 vanilla bean
 * 6 tablespoons sugar (to taste)

Directions

 * 1) Bring water to a boil in a large saucepan. Wash the rice and drain it. Add the rice to the boiling water, and cook for 5 minutes.
 * 2) In a separate saucepan, bring the milk to a boil over medium heat.
 * 3) Remove the cooked rice and drain it. Slowly drop the rice into the boiling milk. Lower the heat and add salt, vanilla bean, and sugar. Cover and simmer 15 - 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the milk is absorbed. Add more milk, if necessary for a tender rice.
 * 4) Serve warm, cold or room temperature - your preference.