Arroz Doce: Portuguese Sweet Rice Pudding

Ingredients

Short grain rice

1 cup

Water

2 cups

Salt

1/4 teaspoon

Lemon peel

1 strip

Cinnamon stick

1

Whole milk

2 cups

Sugar

3/4 cup

Egg yolks

3, beaten

Ground cinnamon

for garnish

Instructions

1. Combine the short grain rice, water, salt, lemon peel, and cinnamon stick in a large saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil.
2. Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer. Cook until the water is almost completely absorbed.
3. Add the whole milk and sugar to the saucepan. Stir well to combine and continue to cook on low heat. Keep stirring frequently until the rice is tender and the mixture has a creamy consistency. This should take about 45 minutes.
4. Remove the saucepan from the heat. Discard the lemon peel and cinnamon stick.
5. Gradually stir in the beaten egg yolks until they are well incorporated into the rice mixture.
6. Return the saucepan to low heat. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly, until the mixture has thickened.
7. Transfer the rice pudding into a serving dish. Let it cool before sprinkling ground cinnamon on top for garnish. Serve and enjoy!