Palestinian Rice Pudding with Rosewater and Mastic
A delicate and fragrant rice pudding, known as 'Ruz bel Haleeb' in Palestine. This creamy dessert is subtly flavored with rosewater and mastic, offering a refreshing and aromatic end to any meal.
🧂 Ingredients
- 0.5 cup Short-grain rice(e.g., Egyptian or Calrose rice)
- 1 cup Water
- 3 cups Whole milk
- 0.5 cup Sugar(or to taste)
- 1.5 tbsp Cornstarch
- 0.5 tsp Arabic Mastic(ground with 1/4 tsp sugar)
- 1 tsp Rosewater
- 1 tsp Orange blossom water
- Cinnamon powder(for garnish (optional))
- Pistachios(chopped, for garnish (optional))
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Rinse the rice under cold water, or soak for 10 minutes (optional).
💡 Tip: Rinsing removes excess starch, while soaking can help it cook faster. - 2
In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed rice with 1 cup of water. Bring to a boil, then cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 15 minutes, or until the rice is fully cooked and the water is absorbed.
- 3
Pour in the 3 cups of milk and stir. Keep stirring over medium heat.
💡 Tip: Stirring prevents the rice from sticking to the bottom. - 4
In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch with the remaining 1/2 cup of milk until smooth. Pour this mixture into the saucepan.
💡 Tip: Ensures a lump-free thickening agent. - 5
Add the sugar and ground mastic to the saucepan. Continue stirring over medium heat for another 15-20 minutes, until the pudding begins to thicken and bubble.
💡 Tip: The pudding will thicken further as it cools. - 6
Remove from heat and stir in the rosewater and orange blossom water.
💡 Tip: Adding floral waters at the end preserves their delicate aroma. - 7
Pour the rice pudding into individual serving bowls or a larger dish. Let it cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.
💡 Tip: Serve chilled for the best refreshing experience. - 8
Garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon powder and chopped pistachios, if desired.
💡 Tip: Other garnishes like dried rose petals or a drizzle of honey are also lovely.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a richer, creamier pudding, use whole milk and consider adding a splash of heavy cream along with the milk.
- ✓If you prefer a less sweet pudding, reduce the amount of sugar.
- ✓Mastic can be found at Middle Eastern grocery stores. If unavailable, you can omit it, but it adds a unique traditional flavor.
🔄 Variations
- Add a teaspoon of vanilla extract along with the floral waters for a different flavor profile.
- For a dairy-free version, use full-fat coconut milk or almond milk, though the texture may vary.
- Some variations include a bit of cardamom for added warmth.