I grew up eating rice pudding and had a belief that rice pudding is a dish only in India. But once I stepped out of India, I found that rice pudding is universal; you can find them in other parts of the world also. Rice pudding is varied with additions according to place of it origin. This recipe is Lebanese version of rice pudding “Riz B Haleeb” which translates to “Rice in Milk”
This recipe is adapted from the book “ Hadia Lebanese style recipes” by Haida Zebib Khanafer. She is my virtual friend and also writes the blog Hadia's Lebanese Cuisine. She had sent me the book a while ago, but I was not able to try any recipes from it as I was debating on which one to try first. I have long list to try a few among them being Coconut Namoura, Zatar bread, Stouf cake etc. I am fan of Namoura which I used to get from a Middle Eastern Store near my old house. I collected spices, orange blossom water, rose water, pomegranate molasses etc. Now we are staying very far so it is not easy to make a trip as I would have earlier.
The book consists of 21 chapters divided into soups, salads, appetizers, eggs, pastries, grains, pasta and gratin, Laban (yogurt based), tarts and pies, oriental sweets, drinks ,pickles and jam etc. This book has 440 recipes; and I am sure everybody will find their favorite one. Even though book is named as Lebanese style recipes, but it has recipes from all over the world. I would love to try Lebanese recipes as I can learn about the culture and cooking style. There are about 30 soups, 36 oriental sweets recipes etc to name a few. For example there are 8 pudding recipes you can choose from. This is just to give you an idea that this book has lot of delicious recipes. So if you are looking for good Lebanese recipes then buy this book you will love it. Only con I can find is that you need a long time to try all the recipes.
I choose to try this Lebanese rice pudding because I wanted to learn the difference in cooking style of rice pudding in various countries. In India when we make rice pudding we don’t add any thickener like corn starch. So it is runny consistency where as this rice pudding has thick consistency. Also I like the addition of mastic gum.
I added a splash of orange blossom water which is not mentioned in the book and also reduced sugar. Otherwise I made the pudding as Haida explained in the book.
Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Haida Zebib Khanafer for this review.
Delicious aromatic Lebanese rice pudding with orange blossom water and mastic gum.
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoon short grain rice (I used Japanese sushi rice)
- 2 ½ cup milk (I used whole milk)
- ¼ cup sugar
- ⅔ cup water
- ¾ tablespoon cornstarch ( dissolved in ¼ cup water)
- ⅛ teaspoon mastic gum
- ½ teaspoon orange blossom water
- ¼ cup pistachio crushed for garnishing
Instructions
- In a sauce pot add washed drained rice
- and 2 ½ milk and water and bring it to boil first with stirring in between and then simmer it 30-40 minutes until the rice cooked well.
- Make sure cook them really well.
- In a small add ¼ cup water with ½ tablespoon cornstarch and mix well. Set aside
- Once the rice is cooked add sugar and cook for another 5 minutes. Then add mastic gum(grind with ¼ teaspoon sugar that will be easy powder the mastic gum) and orange blossom water
- and finally add cornstarch-water mixture and let it boil until everything get thickened.
- Transfer to serving bowl and sprinkle with roasted pistachio, you can even refrigerate them and serve cold. I like it warm.
- Enjoy
Notes
This recipe is adapted fromHadia Lebanese style recipes
Copyright ©2016 Zesty South Indian Kitchen by Swathi( Ambujom Saraswathy) All Rights Reserved
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This is Swathi ( Dr. Ambujom Saraswathy Ph.D) from Zesty South Indian Kitchen who loves to explore cuisines from all over the world. Whenever possible I try to to give an Indian touch to several of the world cuisine, and has weakness for freshly baked bread. All the recipes you see here are created by me and approved after taste-test by my family.
tigerfish says
I have tried a similar dessert rice pudding and enjoy it warm as well.
ramya venkat says
similar to indian style but i like the addition of gum there.interesting pudding
Sundari says
Interesting recipe! Yummy pudding!!
Nalini Somayaji says
wow..delicious and yummy lebanese rice putting.....let me grab a bowlful....
Swathi says
Thanks Nalini
shubha says
I am big fan of Hadia too .. and you have brought her recipe to full justice.. wonderfully prepared..loved this post of yours:)
Swathi says
Thanks Shubha I like her recipes
Piyali says
Hadia is one suprelmely crafted blogger and her recipes are phenomenal. I have been following and interacting with her for a long time and I am delighted to read this post dear Swathi. The Rice pudding looks uber delicious and you have explained the recipe pictorially so distinctly. Kudos to both of you, one for the fantastic recipe and one for this decadent looking bowl of rice pudding. Loved it.
Swathi says
Thanks Piyali for your constant support Yes it was delicious, I love Hadia's recipes
kushi says
This looks so beautiful and delicious!
Nima says
Dear Swathi, your blog has delicious recipes - can't wait to try and love the presentation too.
Well, I have nominated you for the 3-day Quote Challenge. There is no obligation to take part in the challenge if you don’t have the time or the desire to do it. Only if you wish so 🙂
Thank you!
https://nimasonti.wordpress.com/2016/01/31/last-day-of-the-challenge/
Traditionallymodernfood says
Never tried labanese cooking..pudding looks grt.. I should look for this ingredients
LINSY PATEL says
This looks delicious, love to see that book too , I just love lebanese food, it's very similar to ours but still different in a lot of ways.
Gloria says
the pudding looks really yummy..very similar to our kheer
marudhuskitchen says
iam new to this ingredient..learnt a new dessert from u thank u
Uma Raghuraman says
I love rice kheer( paal payasam), it is so amazing to learn how different cuisines use the same ingredients differently to make their dishes. Interesting Recipe Swathi! So happy to have found your amazing blog!
Hadia says
THank you, Swathi, for putting up your detailed review. It means a lot to me, and I am falling short of words to express my gratitude.
Rafeeda says
I love Lebanese food! It is good to see you were able to source mastic, I should be looking around here since it is included in almost all Arab desserts... this pudding looks really delicious and flavorful...
Amrita says
This dessert looks yumm...I heard lot about Lebanese cuisine but never tried...will try this