Arroz Con Leche

Ingredients

• 7 cups water
• 1 cup long grain rice, rinsed
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 cup granulated sugar or 1 can of condensed milk
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups whole milk
• ground cinnamon

Instructions

1. Put the water and rice with a cinnamon stick into a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring it to a boil and then let it cook for 18 minutes.
2. Once the rice is tender, strain it out and bring it back to the same saucepan. Stir in whole milk and sugar (or condensed milk). 
3. Continue to cook the rice in the saucepan and bring to another boil. Once it is boiling, reduce heat to low and cook it for 20 minutes until rice has become thick and creamy. Stir occasionally. 
4. After the mixture has thickened remove from heat and add in vanilla. Stir the vanilla and now you are ready to serve it warm. I like to sprinkle ground cinnamon on top for extra taste. 

I am constantly staying away from Mexican recipes since I am quite intimidated by them. So I forced myself to make my favorite Mexican dessert in the hopes of getting me comfortable. I think it worked since the arroz con leche came out perfect. Give it a try and surprise your guest with this easy and delicious dessert.