Arroz con Leche

Tis the season to be jolly...fa-la-la-la-la  la-la-la-la
Today is December 1st which means Christmas is just around the corner! Christmas music is playing on the radio and the wind is getting chillier, classes are almost over. I love it!

Largest indoor Christmas tree in the nation!

And like all good Mexican I am enjoying some arroz con leche which literally means 'rice with milk'. Now I now you probably think 'oh it's 'rice pudding'....um no. Arroz con leche is not 'rice pudding' am sorry to disappoint and probably make you realize that that which you've tried claiming to be arroz con leche under the surname of 'rice pudding' is actually not real arroz con leche. Anyone who is Hispanic or has knowledge of Mexican cuisine will tell you 'rice pudding' is not arroz con leche or vice-versa.

Real arroz con leche!

Alright so this is a dessert that is typically eaten right around winter time or Christmas time.
It's not hard to make and you don't need any really out there ingredients just everyday items.

I love cinnamon sticks!

I thought you'd may as well get the actual milks I used!

Super sizzling cinnamon sticks!

Tender rice should look like this

Arroz con Leche

Ingredients: 

•  1/2 gallon of milk (2% or whole) (I used 2%)
• A bag of white long-grain rice (you will use 1 small fistful per person)
•  3 cinnamon sticks
•  1 can of sweetened condensed milk
•  1 can of evaporated milk
• 4 1/4 cups of water
•  raisins (optional)

Directions:

1.  In a large pot heat on high add water 
2. Add cinnamon sticks to the water
3. Add rice(remember 1 small fistful per person)
4. Let the rice soak, the water will begin to turn a light brown that's okay, and after a few minutes 5-6 the rice will become tender 
5. Once the rice is tender add the 1/2 milk gallon
6. Gradually add the sweetened condensed milk and the evaporated milk
7. Serve hot and add raisins if you like! I always add raisins to mine!

** A few things to take note of:

• Arroz con leche should be soup-y meaning plenty of milk yet thick meaning it should not in any way resemble some sort of milk-ish rice broth
• The rice should be long grain white rice
• The rice should at no moment stick to anything, you should be able to scoop the rice from it's milky substance
• Do not add sugar!! That's what the sweetened milk is for.
• If you cannot find the sweetened milk or would prefer your arroz con leche to have a more white-ish color then skip the sweetened milk and add 2 cups of sugar

I hope you really try this recipe and wow all your friends by making authentic arroz con leche and not rice pudding!! hahaha Stay warm :)