I decided to honor Hispanic Heritage Month* by cooking the recipes I learned from my mother and grandmothers while growing up in west-central Mexico, by the Pacific ocean. Each one had their own way of cooking, but what they all had in common was that they didn't use measurements, they calculated everything by trial and error and I learned to do it the same way.
Many of the most pleasant memories of my childhood are related to food, not only the way it was prepared, but enjoying it together as a family. It was common to eat Arroz con Leche (Rice with Milk) at home, sometimes as part of breakfast or as a dessert after dinner. This is a favorite amongst my own children. I am sharing this recipe, which although it is simple, was relatively challenging to make only because I had to actually MEASURE the ingredients. I hope your family enjoys this sweet treat!
Arroz con Leche
Makes six servings.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup basmati rice or long-grain white rice
- 4 cups whole milk (you can substitute with non-dairy milk if desired)
- 1 12 oz. can evaporated milk
- 2 cups of water
- 1 brown sugar cone (This is commonly known as piloncillo and can often be found in Hispanic sections of supermarkets. It can be substituted with 1 cup of brown sugar and two teaspoons of molasses.)
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1/2 cup raisins
Instructions:
- In a small bowl soak the rice in one cup of water. Set aside.
- In a medium-size saucepan, stir in the whole milk, evaporated milk, one cup of water, brown sugar cone, and the cinnamon stick. Continue cooking over medium-high heat until the mixture comes to a boil.
- Add the rice and the water in which it was soaking to the saucepan, reduce the heat to low, and cook uncovered, stirring constantly, until the mixture is thick, about 25 minutes. Add the raisins, and stir well.
- Serve warm or cold.
* Hispanic Heritage Month is a national celebration from September 15 to October 15 to commemorate diversity, history, culture, and influence of past generations who came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central and South America.
