Arroz Doce: Portugal's Creamy Cinnamon Rice Pudding

Every Portuguese family has an arroz doce recipe, and every grandmother decorates it with her own cinnamon pattern on top.

It is creamy, gently lemony and served cold, often at birthdays, weddings and Christmas.

Ready in about 45 minutes, serves 6

You will need

• 200 g rice for arroz doce or Carolino rice
• 400 ml water and a pinch of salt
• 1 litre milk
• 1 strip of lemon peel
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 150 g sugar
• 2 egg yolks (optional, for extra richness)
• Ground cinnamon to decorate

Method

1. Boil the rice in the salted water with the lemon peel until the water is absorbed, about 10 minutes.
2. Heat the milk with the cinnamon stick and add it to the rice a ladle at a time, stirring often.
3. Cook gently for 25 to 30 minutes until thick and creamy.
4. Stir in the sugar and cook for 2 more minutes.
5. Off the heat, remove the peel and cinnamon stick. Mix the yolks with a little of the hot rice, then stir them in.
6. Pour into a wide dish, leave to cool and decorate with ground cinnamon.

Shortcut

In a hurry? An Alsa arroz doce mix gets you there faster.

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Shop the Range

• Saudades Rice for Arroz Doce 500g
• Cinnamon Sticks 30g
• Margão Ground Cinnamon 60g
• Sidul Fine White Sugar 1kg
• Alsa Arroz Doce Rice Pudding Mix 125g

Rice | Sugar and sweeteners | Puddings and mousse

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