If you don't know this already, I married into a Portuguese family, and Portuguese Rice Pudding happens to be my mother-in-law's specialty. She doesn't cook anymore, but this is what she used to make for us every time we visited. It's very similar to what we make in my culture (arroz con leche), but it's creamier, thicker and sweeter....definitely a pudding. In short, it's DELICIOUS! I've watched my mother-in-law make it through the years, but now, in honor of her 100th birthday on November 27, 2022, I thought it was time for me to make it...and, if it's good enough, I'd take her some for her birthday. In this video you'll see how I make Portuguese Rice Pudding, and guess what? My hubby approves. Read on for the recipe.

Portuguese Rice Pudding

1 1/2 cups short grain rice (I use Jasmine)
4 cups of whole milk to start (may add more later)
1 stick of butter (1/2 cup)
1 cup of sugar
2 large pieces of lemon rind or 2 tsp. lemon extract
1 cinnamon stick
powdered cinnamon for garnish

Place 4 cups of milk into a large sauce pan and set burner to medium high. As it begins to warm, add the lemon rind, the cinnamon stick, the butter and the sugar. Stir until all the butter is melted and milk is heated. Add in rice and reduce heat to low so that rice cooks at a low simmer for approximately 30 minutes, or until rice is fully cooked. Stir continuously to ensure it doesn't stick. (If liquid is absorbed before all the rice is cooked, you may need to add more milk.) When rice is fully cooked, place egg yolks in small bowl and lightly whisk them. You'll need to temper the eggs by taking about a Tbsp. of the hot rice and mixing it into the eggs. Then add a little more hot rice to the eggs and mix until the temperature of the eggs is gradually heated. Then pour the egg mixture into the hot pan of rice that should still be on the stovetop. Mix and continue cooking another 5 minutes, then remove cinnamon stick and lemon rind. Take rice pudding off the stove and pour into a shallow dish. Sprinkle with additional powdered cinnamon and let cool before eating.


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*All music in this video used with rights from Storyblocks:
1:36 Fun Guitar and Ukelele
3:21 Happy Go Lucky Jammy Jam - Music Design by Jason Inc.