Beirut - Arabstoday
Rice pudding is a universal dessert, found in many cultures, in different forms, and under different names. Lebanese peeps don’t have a monopoly on it this time. However what probably makes this a “Lebanese” version is the addition of orange blossom water (mazaher) to the recipe. In Lebanon this dessert is known as “Riz B Haleeb” which translates to “Rice in Milk.” Lebanese Rice Pudding With Pistachio Orange blossom water is a flavoring syrup made by distilling flowers from orange trees and is generally added to many Arabic/Turkish/Lebanese desserts. It can be typically found in Middle Eastern grocery stores or can be purchased online. Add Corn Flour Gently Boil Milk, Rice, and Corn Flour While Stirring This rice pudding isn’t too far from what is served in Indian/Pakistani/Afghani/Persian restaurants as “kheer”. There are a few different variations of it. The basic ingredients are water, sugar, and orange blossom water, then you would add rice powder and/or rice and/or corn flower. All will yield to a virtually identical taste, but with different textures. Recipe: Lebanese Rice Pudding With Pistachio – Riz B Haleeb – Kheer Summary: A Delicious and Easy to Prepare Rice Pudding Dessert. Rice Pudding Ingredients (5-6 servings) 4 cups of milk 10-12 teaspoons of sugar (to taste) 1/2 cup of rice 2-4 Table Spoons of corn flour 2 teaspoons of orange blossom water Pistachio as a garnish Preparation Method Rinse the rice then let dry Boil the milk with the sugar and rice on low heat, while stirring continuously, for 15 minutes or until the rice softens. As the rice softens add the orange blossom water and the corn flour and stir it in and boil/stir for another 5 minutes or until the pudding hardens and gains the consistency of yogurt. If you add too much corn flour the pudding becomes too jello-like and if you add little it’ll take on a more watery consistency. This is a personal preference. Try adding 2 first then increase if you need to. As the pudding hardens, pour it in your heat-resistant serving cups/plates and let rest for a few minutes before garnishing with pistachio and refrigerating. Serve cold. Preparation time: 5 minute(s) Cooking time: 20 minute(s) Diet type: Vegetarian Number of servings (yield): 6 Culinary tradition: Middle Eastern