Colombian Arroz Con Leche

• This Colombian arroz con leche recipe is easy to make and is great to enjoy all year round.
• This arroz con leche Colombiano is budget friendly.
• Adapt and customize this rice pudding to your liking. Make it as sweet as you like, add extra ingredients such as grated coconut, dried fruit, or even a drizzle of caramel sauce.
• This dessert is the perfect comfort food.
• This recipe for Colombian rice pudding is gluten free.

Cost To Make

Estimated cost = $7.10 or $1.78 a serve

Ingredients

Please note that below is a guide for some of the ingredients we used in the recipe. The printable recipe further down the page has the complete list of ingredients, including quantities and step-by-step instructions.

• Arborio Rice
• Milk of choice
• Water
• White Sugar
• Butter
• Cinnamon Stick
• Vanilla Extract
• Condensed Milk
• Salt

Step One

In a medium sized saucepan, place the rice, milk, water, sugar, butter, cinnamon stick, vanilla extract, condensed milk, and salt. Place over medium to high heat. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally.

Once at a boil, reduce the heat to bring to a simmer. Make sure you have some clearance from the top of the saucepan. You do not want to fill your saucepan to the top.

Step Two

Cover with a lid and simmer for 30 to 35 minutes or until the rice is cooked. Stir the mixture occasionally.

Don't leave the saucepan unattended. This is because the milk can rice and the pot can overflow. If you find this happening, remove the lid, reduce heat, and gently stir the mixture.

If you find any of your rice grains clumping together as you cook, gently separate them using the back of a spoon.

Step Three

Turn off heat, remove lid and cinnamon stick, and allow to cool to room temperature. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight before serving.

Tips for Success

• It's important to cook the rice slowly and allow it to absorb the milk gradually. This slow cooking process ensures that the rice becomes tender and creamy, resulting in a luscious dessert. Avoid rushing the process by increasing the heat, as it may lead to unevenly cooked rice or a burnt bottom.
• The ideal consistency of arroz con leche should be creamy, but with a slight bite to the rice grains. To achieve this, taste the rice periodically during the cooking process to check for doneness. The grains should be cooked through but not mushy. If the rice is still too firm, continue simmering until it reaches the desired texture. If the pudding becomes too thick, you can add a little more milk to adjust the consistency.
• Once the arroz con leche is cooked, remove it from the heat and let it cool slightly before transferring it to the refrigerator. Chilling the dessert for a few hours allows the flavors to meld together and the pudding to thicken further.
• Serve the arroz con leche chilled or at room temperature, garnished with a sprinkle of cinnamon or a dusting of cocoa powder for an extra touch of indulgence.

Substitutions / Variations

• Coconut-infused Arroz con Leche: Add coconut along with the rice and other ingredients during the cooking process.
• Raisin and Nut Arroz con Leche: Add an element of texture and additional flavor by stirring in raisins and your favorite nuts. As the rice cooks, the raisins plump up and release their natural sweetness, while the nuts provide a satisfying crunch.
• Chocolate Arroz con Leche: Simply add cocoa powder or melted chocolate to the mixture while cooking.
• Cardamom and Rosewater Arroz con Leche: Add the cardamom pods while simmering the rice, and stir in the rosewater towards the end of the cooking process. Remove the cardamom pods before eating.
• Dulce de Leche Arroz con Leche: Stir in a generous amount of this caramel-like sauce to the cooked rice pudding, allowing it to melt and blend with the other ingredients.
• Citrus-infused Arroz con Leche: Zest some lemon or orange peel into the mixture during cooking to infuse it with a bright and vibrant flavor.

Serving Suggestions

Here are some ways you might like to serve your Colombian arroz con leche:

• Garnish with some ground cinnamon.
• Sprinkle some crushed nuts and add a dollop of whipped cream.
• Drizzle some dulce de leche over the top before serving.

Storage

Store this Colombian arroz con leche in an air tight container in the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days. To serve, enjoy at room temperature or cold.

FAQ

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