Arroz Doce (Portuguese Rice Pudding)
In short: Creamy short-grain rice cooked in milk with lemon zest and cinnamon, enriched with egg yolks and dusted with ground cinnamon. It takes about 1 h in total and makes 8 servings.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 50 min
- Resting
- 2 h
- Total
- 1 h
- Servings
- 8
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 285 kcal
Arroz doce is the rice pudding served at Portuguese weddings, Christmas tables and Sunday lunches. Short-grain rice cooks slowly in milk scented with lemon peel and cinnamon until creamy, and egg yolks added at the end make it silky. It is spooned into a wide dish and decorated with lines or a lattice of ground cinnamon. Serve it at room temperature or chilled. The only trick is patience while the milk is absorbed.
Instructions
- Put the rice, water, lemon zest, cinnamon stick and salt in a heavy saucepan. Bring to a boil, then cook over low heat for about 10 minutes, until most of the water is absorbed.
- Add the warm milk 250 ml (1 cup) at a time, stirring often. Wait until each addition is mostly absorbed before adding the next. This takes 25 to 30 minutes, and the rice should end up tender and creamy.
- Stir in the sugar and cook for 5 minutes until dissolved. Take the pan off the heat and remove the zest and cinnamon stick.
- Whisk the egg yolks in a bowl with a ladle of the hot rice. Pour the mixture back into the pan, stirring, and cook over very low heat for 2 to 3 minutes until slightly thickened. Do not let it boil or the eggs will curdle.
- Spoon the pudding into a wide serving dish or small bowls. Let it cool, then decorate with lines or a lattice of ground cinnamon.
Tips
- Add the milk gradually and stir often, as for risotto. This is what makes the pudding creamy instead of gluey.
- The pudding thickens as it cools. If it is stiff the next day, stir in a splash of warm milk before serving.
Questions and answers
Can I make arroz doce ahead of time?
Yes. It keeps for 3 days covered in the fridge, and it is usually served cold or at room temperature.
Why does arroz doce use egg yolks?
The yolks enrich the pudding and give it a pale golden color and a silky texture. You can leave them out for a plainer, lighter pudding.
Which rice works best for arroz doce?
Short-grain rice, the kind sold for risotto or pudding, releases starch and gives the creamiest result. Long-grain rice stays too separate.
How long does it take to make Arroz Doce (Portuguese Rice Pudding)?
About 1 h in total: 10 min of preparation and 50 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Arroz Doce (Portuguese Rice Pudding)?
About 285 kcal per serving, with 7 g of protein, 48 g of carbohydrates and 7 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 285 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 7 g |
| Carbohydrates | 48 g |
| Fat | 7 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 30 g |
| Sodium | 90 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
