Directions

1. Wash then boil rice in water two inches above rice level. simmer for 30-40 minutes or until rice is done. You might have to add more water so rice does not stick to the pot.
2. Meanwhile, heat milk in a saucepan on a medium heat until hot, but do no boil.
3. Slowly add rice to milk and stir well so rice does not crumble.
4. Turn down the heat and leave the mixture on low heat stirring occasionally for an hour and a half until it thickens. It is very important that you stir every five minutes or so so rice does not stick to the bottom of the pan. If milk stuck, do not try to scratch off.
5. When mixture thickens and reaches a consistency similar to unrefrigerated vanilla pudding, add sugar and rose water and leave for extra ten minutes.
6. Turn off heat and pour pudding in small or big bowls and leave outside until it cools.
7. Sprinkle with orange zest and refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving.

makes 10 servings

• |2012-05-07 19:01:38 jalen
  where can you get the rose water and the orange zest~yokoub natali
  • 0
  • 0

  ReplyQuote

• |2012-05-08 22:52:37 Ghinwa  - Re:
  jalen, You can find rose water (or substitute with orange blossom water) in any Middle-Easter store and online. For orange zest, use a zester or a box grater to zest the outermost layer of a fresh orange.Don't get close to the white layer because it could be bitter.
  • 0
  • 0

  ReplyQuote

• |2012-05-18 15:52:41 Olivia
  Do you have to use the rose water?
  • 0
  • 0

  ReplyQuote

• |2012-05-18 21:14:44 Ghinwa  - Re:
  Olivia, the traditional recipe calls for rose water or orange blossom water or both. They give the rice pudding its distinctive taste. If you have neither, you can add orange zest or vanilla or other flavoring. It will still be creamy and delicious, but just not the traditional recipe.
  • 0
  • 0

  ReplyQuote

• |2013-04-13 15:45:07 audrey
  why is this dish a national dish?
  • 0
  • 0

  ReplyQuote

• |2013-04-24 23:28:00 Ghinwa  - Re:
  Rice Pudding is a very old dessert, popular in Syria especially in the summer.
  • 0
  • 0

  ReplyQuote