What is it about our mom’s cooking? It’s the most amazing thing when you’re sick, you’re feeling down, or you just want some comfort.
Today I am home sick from work, feeling lousy, and tired.. and all I wanted was to call my mom and ask her to make me my favorite sickie food- arroz con leche (rice pudding for my non-spanish-speaking-friends. This translation is a little deceiving because it’s not really pudding or made from pudding but whatevs). This stuff is AMAZING and makes me feel better instantly. It’s sweet and yummy and reminds me of my sisters and I sitting in the kitchen with mom and watching her make it. The smell of cinnamon and sugar taking over the kitchen and counting the minutes before we could scoop it out and enjoy.
My mom is Mexico this month, visiting my grandmother, and I can’t call her to come and make me something that will make me feel special and not so alone while I’m sick. So I went into the kitchen, not really sure of what I had in the panty, but knowing that rice pudding was going to happen today. My hubby drove me home from work so I had no car to drive out and get other ingredients. I had to make do with what was already here, and as I peered into the pantry, it was slim pickings.
However, thankfully, I found a bag of white rice, sugar, and a can of condensed milk (the makings of the perfect arroz con leche). I was slightly annoyed when I found out that I had a cup and a half of milk in the fridge and no cinnamon sticks (you need whole milk and those dang cinnamon sticks for the real deal). SIGH. I put on my thinking cap, decided that I wasn’t going to go and sleep off my sickness hungry, and started an impromptu recipe…er…maybe not recipe, just a mixing together of some ingredients that would hopefully resemble my mom’s delicious arroz.
After 30 minutes, I was done.. and it was NOT my mom’s perfect, delectable dessert, but it wasn’t bad… and I had two servings before I tucked myself into bed, felt my Sadie cuddle up next to me, and drifted off into wonderful sleep, belly full.
SUCCESS.
Mom’s Arroz Con Leche (an improvised version)
1 cup of rice
1 cup of water
1 cup of milk
1/4 cup of sugar
1/4 cup of condensed milk
1/4 tablespoon of cinnamon
First, following the directions on the rice bag, I mixed the cup of milk and the cup of water in a pot and set it to boil. I mixed in the cinnamon and let the aroma fill the room. YUM. (Don’t let this boil over, as I did, and almost cause a fire in your house, as. I. did.)
While you’re waiting for this mixture to boil, soak the rice in water for about 5 minutes then drain. When the water/milk mix is boiling add the rice and stir. Bring to a simmer and cover, stirring every couple of minutes. Set your timer for 20 minutes. After 18 minutes add the sugar little by little and keep stirring! The rice should be nice and thick and there should be a little bit of liquid left.
Next, add the condensed milk and stir.
Cover again for the last couple of minutes. Then take off the heat and let sit for a few minutes before serving. Sprinkle some cinnamon on top and you’re done!
YUM
SERVE WARM AND ENJOY.
It’s not my mom’s arroz, but it sure hit the spot. When I call my mom this week I’ll ask her for her real recipe and post…
i love and miss you so, mom.
iloveyouso 