Costa Rican
⭐ Highly Rated
35 minmedium
Costa RicanBreakfast
Recipe Story
origins & traditionsArroz con Leche Tico is a beloved Costa Rican breakfast tradition that transforms simple rice into a luxurious, creamy pudding. This comforting dish combines white rice slowly simmered in whole milk and sweetened condensed milk, creating a rich and velvety texture. Fragrant cinnamon sticks and vanilla extract infuse the pudding with warm, aromatic flavors that fill your kitchen with an irresistible scent. Unlike dessert versions, this breakfast preparation is slightly less sweet and more substantial, providing energy to start your day. The rice grains soften to a tender consistency while maintaining a slight bite, suspended in the creamy mixture. A final dusting of ground cinnamon and nutmeg adds a beautiful presentation and extra warmth. Often enjoyed by families across Costa Rica on lazy weekend mornings or special occasions, this dish represents the Tico love for simple, flavorful comfort food that brings people together around the breakfast table.
Instructions
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Rinse 1 cup of white rice under cold water until water runs clear, then drain well.
In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the rinsed rice with 2 cups of water and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until rice is tender and water is absorbed.
Add 3 cups of whole milk, 1 cup of sweetened condensed milk, and 2 cinnamon sticks to the cooked rice.
Stir well to combine and increase heat to medium. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring frequently to prevent sticking.
Reduce heat to low and continue cooking for 20 minutes, stirring every 3-4 minutes. The mixture will thicken and become creamy.
Add 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract and stir to incorporate.
Remove from heat and discard the cinnamon sticks. The pudding will continue to thicken as it cools slightly.
Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.
Serve warm in individual bowls, sprinkled with ground cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg on top.
Arroz con Leche Tico
4.3 (15)
A creamy Costa Rican rice pudding breakfast infused with cinnamon and vanilla, topped with a sprinkle of nutmeg. This traditional comfort dish is sweetened with condensed milk and served warm for a hearty morning meal.
easy
45 min
4 servings
Ingredients
0 of 8 checked
Main Ingredients
- 1 cups rice-white, rinsed
- 3 cups milk, whole milk
- 1 cups milk, sweetened condensed
- 1/4 teaspoons salt
Spices
- 2 pieces cinnamon, cinnamon sticks
- 2 teaspoons vanilla-extract
Garnish
- 1 teaspoons cinnamon, ground
- 1/4 teaspoons nutmeg, ground (optional)
Chef Tips
expert advice•For a richer version, substitute half of the whole milk with half-and-half or heavy cream.
•If you prefer a sweeter pudding, add 2-3 tablespoons of sugar along with the milk.
•The consistency should be creamy but pourable when hot; it will thicken significantly as it cools.
•For authentic Tico flavor, use Ceylon cinnamon if available.
•You can also add a few cloves along with the cinnamon sticks for extra depth.
•Some families enjoy adding raisins during the last 10 minutes of cooking.
•For a dairy-free version, coconut milk can replace regular milk, though the flavor profile will change.
•This recipe can easily be doubled for larger gatherings.
•If the pudding becomes too thick, simply stir in a little warm milk to achieve desired consistency.
