Nothing compares the sweetness of a heaping serving of arroz con leche, one of the traditional desserts present across so many of our cuisines, which basically holds the flavors of our heritage and heart. Today, though, we're adding an unexpected twist to our arroz con leche, adding a hint of umami to further enrich the taste, while preserving the dish's comforting wholesomeness. This marriage of traditional goodness and modern flavors is just what Dalina Soto, RD, LDN, wanted to create when she added MSG to our beloved arroz con leche.
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Dalina writes: "Sodium is something many in my community worry about. While MSG itself doesn’t have direct health benefits, it can be used as a sodium-reducing tool, because it has 2/3 less sodium than salt. When substituted for some table salt in recipes, MSG can reduce the overall sodium content while still maintaining flavor. And that’s a win-win for all of us. MSG adds a layer of savory depth to the arroz con leche, making it richer and more flavorful."
Check out the recipe!
Ingredients
1 cup of long-grain white rice, rinsed and drained
2 cinnamon sticks
4 cups of water
1/4 teaspoon of salt
1 tablespoon of butter
4 cups of whole milk
1 1/2 cups of sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup of raisins (optional)
Zest of 1 orange
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon of MSG (adjust to your preference)*
Ground cinnamon, for garnish
Directions
In a large pot, combine rice, cinnamon sticks, water, and salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Let it simmer until the rice is tender, about 20 minutes.
Once the rice is tender, remove the cinnamon sticks and add butter, stirring until melted.
Stir in the whole milk and sweetened condensed milk. Continue to simmer, stirring often, until the mixture thickens, and the rice has absorbed most of the milk – this can take 20-30 minutes.
Add in the raisins, orange zest, vanilla extract, and MSG. Stir to combine.
Taste and adjust the sweetness or MSG if needed.
Remove from heat and let it cool for a few minutes. The pudding will continue to thicken as it cools.
Serve warm or cold, garnished with a sprinkle of ground cinnamon on top.
MSG should be used sparingly as its main purpose is to enhance the flavor, not dominate it. Always check for any allergies or sensitivities among those you’re serving.
Recipe courtesy of Ajinomoto
