Grandma’s Old-Fashioned Rice Pudding Recipe: Mi Madre's Puerto Rican Arroz Con Leche by Elisa Schmitz


Grandma’s Old-Fashioned Rice Pudding Recipe: Mi Madre's Puerto Rican Arroz Con Leche

Mi madre is from Puerto Rico, and I grew up eating amazing Puerto Rican food made by her, her mother (mi abuela) and her sisters (mis tias). In Puerto Rico, arroz con dulce (sweet rice) is a specialty, and we often enjoyed it especially during the holidays.

We also enjoyed arroz con leche (rice with milk), which is more commonly known around the world as rice pudding. Rice pudding has an old-fashioned goodness that’s enjoyed in different formats around the globe.

Now that mi madre has Alzheimer’s disease and she no longer cooks, it’s my goal to try and re-create the tastes of my childhood. I want to keep our culture alive for my children, and so mi madre can still enjoy the flavor of her homeland. Mi madre loves arroz con leche, so I knew I had to make it for her.

Here’s what you need in order to make mi madre's arroz con leche that I grew up eating: cooked rice, cinnamon stick, ground cinnamon, evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, unsweetened coconut milk and raisins. This gluten-free recipe brings back so many good memories of family times in Puerto Rico, and it's ready in about half an hour or less.

You can make this pudding recipe sweeter (mas dulce) by using less rice, or less sweet, by using more rice. I hope you enjoy this simple, old-fashioned rice pudding recipe as much as I do. You can eat it as a warm breakfast cereal, or as a snack or even for dessert. So easy and so delicious (que rico)!

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Cuisine: Puerto Rican
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 8

Ingredients

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Recipe Notes

  • For sweeter pudding, use 3 1/2 cups cooked rice. For less sweet pudding, use 5 1/2 cups cooked rice.
  • I used a rice cooker to prepare the rice in advance, and included a cinnamon stick in the pot as the rice was cooking. I discarded the cinnamon stick after cooking.
  • You can use brown or golden raisins, or a blend of the two.
  • Sprinkle some ground cinnamon on top, to taste, as a garnish.
  • Keeps in refrigerator for 3 to 4 days in an airtight container. 
  • To reheat, add a bit of milk and warm in microwave.

Here's how to make it:

  1. Put the cooked rice into a large saucepan. Stir in evaporated milk, condensed milk and coconut milk. Cook over medium heat until mixture comes to a boil. Reduce heat to low. Cook uncovered, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens, about 18 minutes.
  2. Add raisins and stir to combine. Stir on low heat for an additional 2 minutes, to allow raisins to plump up.
  3. Serve in individual bowls. Garnish with cinnamon stick. Sprinkle with ground cinnamon, to taste, and serve warm.

Nutrition Facts Per Serving

Calories: 458

Total Fat: 9.1g

Saturated Fat: 6.7g

Cholesterol: 25mg

Sodium: 141mg

Total Carbohydrate: 83.1g

Dietary Fiber: 1.5g

Total Sugars: 49.2g

Protein: 11.8g

Vitamin D: 39mcg

Calcium: 409mg

Iron: 9mg

Potassium: 560mg

Recipe cooking times, nutritional information and servings are approximate and provided for your convenience. However, 30Seconds is not responsible for the outcome of any recipe, nor may you have the same results because of variations in ingredients, temperatures, altitude, errors, omissions or cooking/baking abilities. This recipe has been analyzed by VeryWellFit. However, any nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and it is up to the individual to ascertain accuracy. To ensure image quality, we may occasionally use stock photography.

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bepositive
I just love arroz con leche 😋
Elisa Schmitz
I'm so happy to say mi madre, and my father and sister and husband, all loved this recipe. Made me so happy! Kathy Ast Donna John Dieter Schmitz
Pam
I made this today. (The only thing I did differently was ½ Cup dark Raisins, ½ Cup Golden Raisins and added them in little early to Plump up) The best I have ever had! I am using for my Breakfast for the week. Thank you Much For Sharing. 😋
Elisa Schmitz
I am so glad you enjoyed my family recipe, LilBitOfYum ! I love your changes, and totally agree with them, so I incorporated them into the recipe so others can benefit. Many thanks for your kind comment, and for being part of our community! Donna John
Tribe
This looks so creamy delicious...
Ann Marie Patitucci
This is so special. I love family recipes. Thanks for sharing with us, Elisa A. Schmitz 30Seconds !
Elisa Schmitz
Thank you so much, Ann Marie Gardinier Halstead ! You inspired me, by sharing your family recipes as well. So wonderful to have them easily available and shareable, thanks so much! xoxo

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