Ruz Bi Halib (Rice with milk)

This Arabic rice pudding is very rich and delicious with the flavour and aroma of Orange blossom water…

I first had this dessert from a Lebanese restaurant in london. It was so different from the traditional english rice pudding as well as from the indian rice dessert ( gheer) and  it is my favourite rice pudding at the moment..The addition of cinnamon and lots of green pistachios makes it super delicious. I always like to use the best orange blossom water available from the middle-eastern supermarkets as that makes the difference….

RUZ BI HALIB

Rice (short grain)- 1/2 cup

Water-1 cup

Milk-4 cups

Sugar-1/2 cup

Orange blossom water-2 table spoon

Pistachios-1/4 cup

Cinnamon powder

Wash and soak rice in hot water for one hour.  Cook rice with one cup of water for ten minuts and then add the milk and cook on low heat for 30 minutes stirring all the time.

Add the sugar and continue stirring and cooking until all the liquid is evaporated and the rice is soft.

Add orange blossom water and half the pistachios and mix well. Pour into a serving bowl and decorate the top with cinnamon powder and chopped pistachios.

Cool in the fridge for 3- 4 hours before serving.