Arroz con Leche - Spanish Rice Pudding

Introduction

In any where other than the expensive restaurants in Andalucia, you seldom find a wide choice of desserts - the classics being an array of colourful ice creams, flan (which is similar to crème caramel) and Arroz con Leche. This dish is really easy to make and is a lovely warming dessert for the winter months or can be served chilled in the summer.

• 1&1/4 ltr full fat milk

• 200g short grained (Arborio) rice

• 100g sugar - white or brown

• 250ml water

• 1/4 tsp salt

• grated zest of one lemon (or orange)

• ground cinnamon

• 1 cinnamon stick

Method

Place the water, rice, cinnamon stick, lemon zest, salt and sugar in a saucepan and bring to the boil. After it has boiled reduce the heat and simmer until nearly all the water has been absorbed. Add the milk and continue cooking until the rice is bloated and very tender. Add a bit of extra milk if desired and serve with ground cinnamon on top.