Description
Lebanese Orange-Blossom Rice Pudding is a creamy and fragrant dessert made with whole milk, long grain rice, and scented with delicate orange blossom water. This traditional Middle Eastern treat is lightly sweetened and can be thickened with cornstarch for a velvety texture. Enjoy it chilled, optionally garnished with pistachios or almonds for a delightful nutty contrast.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 Quart of Organic Whole Milk
- 1 Cup of Long Grain Rice
- 1/2 Cup Granulated Sugar
- 2.5 Tablespoons of Orange Blossom Water (more or less to taste)
- 3 Tablespoons of Cornstarch (optional)
Instructions
- Boil Water and Cook Rice: In a medium pot, bring 2 cups of water to a hard boil. Rinse the rice well under cool water until the water runs clear and add the rinsed rice to the boiling water. Lower the heat to a simmer, cover, and cook until the rice is tender and fluffy, approximately 15-20 minutes. Alternatively, you can cook the rice in a rice cooker.
- Heat the Milk: In a large saucepan, bring the whole milk to a gentle boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally to prevent the milk from scorching.
- Thicken the Pudding: If using cornstarch, dissolve it in a small amount of the hot milk to create a slurry. Stir this mixture into the saucepan with the remaining milk, then add the cooked rice and granulated sugar. Boil gently while stirring constantly for about 20 minutes until the pudding thickens to your desired consistency.
- Add Flavor and Chill: Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the orange blossom water, adjusting to taste. Pour the pudding into individual serving containers and refrigerate until fully chilled and set.
- Serve: Optionally, garnish the pudding with unsalted pistachios or almonds before serving to add texture and flavor.
Notes
- You can adjust the thickness by varying the amount of cornstarch or simmering time.
- Orange blossom water is fragrant, so add gradually and taste as you go to ensure the flavor is balanced.
- For a vegan alternative, substitute the whole milk with coconut or almond milk, though this will alter the traditional flavor and texture.
- Ensure to stir constantly during the thickening process to prevent the pudding from sticking and burning.
- Rice should be rinsed thoroughly to remove excess starch for fluffier grains before cooking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Keywords: Lebanese rice pudding, orange blossom rice pudding, Middle Eastern dessert, creamy rice pudding, orange blossom water dessert
