Roz bi Halib / Rice Pudding

This is an Arab version known as "roz bi halib" (rice with milk)and is flavoured with rose water you could also add ground mastic stirred in at the end of cooking . Mastic is a resin from a tree, you buy it in small grains or crystals from Greek or Oriental stores. Simply pound it to a powder with a pestle and mortar it will give a wonderful flavour but only use a little!

Preparation time: 10 minutes   Quantity: Serves 2 - 3   Cooking time: 35 minutes

Ingredients

120g/ 4 oz short grain rice
1¼ pints full fat milk
2 tablespoon runny honey
2 tablespoons rose water

1/2 teaspoon ground mastic
(or use 1/4 teaspoon mixed spice)

crushed pistachios and almonds

Method

  • Boil rice in water for 5 mins only and drain

add milk -simmer 30 mins until soft, stirring occasionally to avoid sticking to pan

  • Add honey and water
  • Serve sprinkled with crushed pistachios and almonds