Portuguese Desserts

🍚 Ingredients
1 cup short-grain rice (like Arborio)

• 4 cups water

• 1 pinch salt

• 1 cinnamon stick

• Peel of 1 lemon (large pieces, not grated)

• 4 cups whole milk (warmed)

• 1 cup sugar

• 4 egg yolks

• Ground cinnamon (for decoration)

👩‍🍳 Instructions 

1. Cook the Rice:

   • In a pot, bring water, salt, cinnamon stick, and lemon peel to a boil.

   • Add the rice and cook on low heat until all the water is absorbed (about 10-15 minutes).

2. Add Milk:

   • Gradually add the warm milk to the rice, stirring constantly.

   • Let it simmer on low heat for 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the rice is soft and creamy.

3. Sweeten:

   • Add the sugar and stir well.

   • Let it simmer for another 5 minutes.

4. Add Egg Yolks:

   • In a small bowl, beat the egg yolks and temper them by adding a few spoonfuls of the hot rice mixture.

   • Slowly pour the yolk mixture into the rice, stirring quickly to avoid scrambling.

   • Cook for 2–3 more minutes until the mixture thickens slightly.

5. Cool & Decorate:

   • Remove from heat and take out the lemon peel and cinnamon stick.

   • Pour the rice pudding into serving bowls.

   • Let it cool slightly, then decorate with ground cinnamon in a crisscross (grid) pattern, like in the image.