Rice bi halib (Rice pudding) - Les Filles Fattoush

Our take on rice pudding is flavored with orange blossom—not vanilla, as in some traditional Western recipes. A little twist that transports you to another world...

Ingredients (for 4 to 6 servings):

1 liter (4 cups) milk 70 g (1/3 cup) round grain rice (calrose), rinsed and drained 55 g (1/4 cup) sugar 3 tbsp cornstarch 125 ml (1/2 cup) cold water 1/2 tsp orange blossom water Ground cinnamon

Preparation :

Heat a dry saucepan over medium-high heat. Pour the milk into the hot saucepan. Stir in the rice and sugar with a wooden spoon. Cover. Reduce heat and cook for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the rice is cooked through.

In a cup, dissolve the cornstarch in the water. Gradually add the cornstarch mixture to the rice, stirring continuously.

Remove from heat, then add the orange blossom water.

Divide the mixture into bowls and refrigerate until the rice pudding sets (a crust will form on the surface, which is what you want). Sprinkle with ground cinnamon.

Note : You can substitute ground pistachios for ground cinnamon.

Excerpt from the book "Syrian Cuisine, a Cuisine of the Heart", p.181.