Spanish Rice Pudding (Arroz con Leche)

Spanish rice pudding is a typical dessert from Asturias in the North of Spain but really well known and cooked in the whole Spanish territory. It is believed that Spanish rice pudding was introduced into Spain centuries ago during the Muslim occupation of the Iberian Peninsula, and it was spread  out through  South America during the Spanish colonization and later around the whole world.

Ingredients for 4-6 people:

-4 cups of Whole Milk.

-½ cup of Rice.

-½ cup of Sugar.

-1 piece of Lemon Peel.

-1 piece of Orange Peel.

-1 Cinnamon Stick.

-Ground Cinnamon.

-1 Vanilla Pod (optional)

Place in a pot the milk, rice, cinnamon stick, orange and lemon peels and the vanilla pod. Cook for 45 minutes at medium-low heat, stirring every 5 minutes to avoid it sticking to the pot.

When the rice is creamy add the sugar, stir and let cook for 10 more minutes.

Take the pot off the stove and remove the cinnamon stick, orange and lemon peels and the vanilla pod. Let it cool and put it on a big bowl or in individual glasses, decorate with ground cinnamon.