Rice pudding (rizogalo) with mastic

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I love rice pudding (rizogalo in Greek) because it's a quick and healthy option for breakfast, snack or dessert all year round.

What's more, you need ingredients that you most likely already have in your kitchen 😊.

 Ingredients:

100 g rice 
200 ml water 
800  ml milk of your choice (+ 50 ml separately)
180 g dates pitted
¼ tsp. ground mastic
1 ½ tbsp corn starch
1 pinch of salt
cinammon for sprinkling

 

Step by step:

  1. Soak the dates in hot water for 20 minutes.
  2. Wash the rice and boil it in a medium-sized pot with the water and a pinch of salt.
  3. While the rice is boiling, prepare the dates by processing them thoroughly in the food processor.
  4. When the rice has absorbed the water, add the milk, the processed dates and the mastic.
  5. Continue boiling in low heat, stirring for 15–20 minutes.
  6. Dissolve the corn starch in 50 ml milk you’ve set aside, add it in the pot and mix continuously, until it starts to thicken.
  7. Remove from the heat and move the rice pudding (rizogalo) to little bowls.
  8. Serve warm or cold, with cinnamon on top.

 

Tips

  • Rizogalo is a delightful meal that can be enjoyed all year round. 
  • You can serve it with fresh fruits (like strawberries and blueberries), nuts, marmelade, sour cherry, or caramelized apples.
  • In summer, I add lemon or orange zest on step 4. It gives a refreshing sense.

 

Enjoy!