Arroz con Leche!

A thick and creamy rice pudding dessert with the added texture and flavor of raisins and cinnamon.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups whole milk
• 1 1/4 cup water
• 1 cup rice, short or medium grain
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
• 1/2 cup raisins, soaked in warm water to soften
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• butter for topping *optional

Preparation:

Bring whole milk and water to a slow simmer in a large pot, over medium/low heat. Stir in rice, add in cinnamon sticks and barely simmer, uncovered, until rice is softened which should be about 20-30 minutes. Stir occasionally. When rice is soft, remove cinnamon sticks and stir in condensed milk, vanilla, salt and raisins. Return to a slight simmer and cook for an additional 10-15 minutes or until most of the liquid is absorbed and rice has a pudding-like consistency. Serve hot, topped with a sprinkle of cinnamon or butter.