Plant-Based Rice Pudding "Arroz Con Leche"

Do you miss comfort foods because of your food sensitivities? I do! There were times when I couldn't go to sleep without having a warm cup of milk. Those times are long gone.

Arroz con Leche (rice pudding) was a comforting afternoon snack in Colombia. As my autoimmune conditions started to pile up, so did my food intolerances, including fluid milk.

Arroz con Leche, especially, brings back the most pleasant memories of a rainy day with my grandparents.

My lovely niece and I love cooking together. She asked, "Tía, let's make Arroz con Leche," and sure enough, she found a suitable plant-based, dairy-free option on Pinterest.

I adjusted the recipe to make it perfect for those battling autoimmune conditions. A touch of sweetness and comfort can still fit into an anti-inflammatory diet and lifestyle.

Dairy-Free "Arroz Con Leche"

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

*6 - 8 Servings

Ingredients:

• 4 cups Almond milk (or your favourite plant-based beverage), unsweetened

• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 2 cinnamon sticks

• 1 cup parboiled rice, washed

• 1/4 cup golden Sultana raisins

• 1/4 cup shredded coconut, unsweetened

• 1/4 cup raw cane sugar

• 1 teaspoon lemon zest

• 4 cloves (optional)

Instructions

1. In a large saucepan over medium heat, add almond milk and bring it to boil with the vanilla extract and cinnamon sticks.

2. Add rice, raisins, shredded coconut, raw cane sugar, cloves (optional) and lemon zest. Stir every 3 or 4 mins with a wooden spoon.

3. The rice pudding starts to thicken after 20-25 mins. You may add extra almond milk if it gets too thick and cook for 10 more minutes over medium-low heat.

4. Let it cool down for 5 mins. Serve hot. Sprinkle cinnamon powder and shredded coconut. You may also enjoy this rice pudding cold.

Extra tips:

✔ Parboiled rice, also known as converted rice, is a more palatable option than wild rice and still provides some nutritional benefits compared to white rice. Parboiled rice has a low glycemic index, which slowly and steadily releases glucose into the bloodstream. Low glycemic foods may help reducing inflammation and promote better blood glucose control.

✔ Parboiled rice is a good source of Vit B3 (niacin) and Vit B6, which are essential vitamins to convert food into energy. Don't we all need that when we're hitting by fatigue!

✔ Cooked and cooled rice is an excellent source of resistant starch, perfect for nourishing our gut bacteria and improving gut health.