I’ve been MIA for a while now.
It’s been a busy and hard couple of months. We lost Grandma Juanita (Devon’s
grandma) early this year and recently lost my buelo Enrique (my grandpa). I’ve
been trying to stay positive and treasure every moment I have. Yes, even the
tantrums and the sass. With the holidays comes a busy time for us. We often
have multiple stops for both thanksgiving and Christmas. Right now, I savor the
time I can sit down and cuddle with a soft blanket on the couch! Those moments
and far and in between.
For those of you who have an
instant pot, or perhaps you’ve asked Santa for one this year, this recipe is
for you. Now, if you don’t have an instant pot, rest assured you can still make
this recipe in a regular pot on the stovetop. My fascination with rice started
at a very young age. Serve me rice and beans, and oh my am I in heaven. There
isn’t a style of rice I don’t like. When it comes to dessert, my first thought
isn’t always rice, but with this chilly weather, Arroz con leche (rice with milk)
hits the spot. The best part about this recipe is that it’s a one-pot wonder.
Who doesn’t love recipes that require minimal cleanup? If for some odd reason,
you enjoy doing dishes, kudos to you, I don’t know how you do it. Dishes are my
LEAST favorite chore. Anyhow, back to dessert, this is a simple recipe that can
be whipped together in less than 20 minutes!
What you need:
Two cups instant rice
Two cups of water
One and a half cups milk
Half of a 14oz can of la lechera
sweetened condensed milk
Half a cup of sugar
Three tablespoons of cinnamon
Set your instant pot to the “rice
risotto” setting. Toss in your rice and water, and after locking your lid, press
start. If you are making this on the stovetop, bring your water to boil, add
rice, and simmer for 5 minutes. The water should be absorbed, leaving you with
fluffy rice. After doing a quick pressure release, set your instant pot to
“brown/sear.” Add your milk, sweetened condensed milk, sugar, and cinnamon. Mix
carefully and continue to cook for another 5-7 minutes until your milk mixture
is warm. On the stovetop, you would turn your heat down to low, add in the rest
of the ingredients and cook for about the same time. My friends, that’s it! Kid
you not, that’s it, a dessert similar to rice pudding that will surely be the
next thing you cook as soon as it’s cold outside. I like to serve this in small
glass cups and sprinkle a tiny bit of cinnamon on top, making me feel oh so
sophisticated. I also prefer to add an extra splash of milk because I like a
more soup-like consistency. There can often be a debate on how to eat Arroz con
leche, whether thick like or more of a soup-like texture. To each their own.
Enjoy this the way you prefer and feel free to mix in extras like raisins,
chocolate chips, chopped nuts, etc.
I hope this becomes a family
favorite. A recipe you choose to make and enjoy while snuggled on the couch with
your family. I, for one, will savor each bite and cherish in the memories I had
with both Grandma Juanita and my buelo Enrique.
Happy holidays and much love,
Carolina
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