Colombian Rice Pudding (Arroz con Leche)
The Colombian arroz con leche: rice simmered soft in water first, then finished in milk with shredded coconut, raisins and cinnamon. The coconut is what sets it apart from the Spanish and Mexican versions. Street vendors sell it in cups with condensed milk poured over. Serves four, hot or cold.
Servings: 4
Calories: 391kcal
Ingredients
- 1 cup rice short or medium grain gives a creamier result
- 500 ml milk about 2 cups
- ¼ cup raisins more or fewer, as you like
- ¼ cup shredded coconut unsweetened; this is the Colombian touch
- ½ cup sugar, or ¼ of a panela block a quarter block is roughly 115 g / 4 oz, about the same sweetness as the sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 4 cups water
Instructions
- In a heavy-bottomed pot, bring the 4 cups of water to the boil over medium heat. This is stovetop cooking, not an electric slow cooker.
- When the water boils, add the rice and the sugar or panela. Carry on cooking for about half an hour, until the rice is soft.
- Add the milk, the raisins, the coconut and the cinnamon. Cook for another 15 minutes.
- Stay with it and stir constantly so the rice does not catch on the bottom. If the milk starts to climb the sides of the pot, turn the heat down or off. What you are avoiding is grains that stay translucent and firm in the middle: they should swell and turn opaque and soft.
- Serve it however you like it, hot or cold.
Notes
A sprinkle of cinnamon over each serving is normal, and so is a spoonful of condensed milk, which is how street vendors sell it. It thickens as it cools, so take it off the heat while it still looks slightly loose if you plan to refrigerate it. For a creamier pudding, replace some of the milk with evaporated milk or cream. If it comes out too runny, keep cooking it gently until the milk reduces, or stir in a tablespoon of cornstarch dissolved in cold water.
Nutrition
Calories: 391kcal | Carbohydrates: 77g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 13mg | Sodium: 72mg | Potassium: 320mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 32g | Vitamin A: 208IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 185mg | Iron: 1mg