Frehner Family Favorites

Aroz Doce
(Portuguese Rice Pudding)
from: Denise Ferrin

1 cup short grain white rice
5 cups water
1 slice lemon peel
1 Tbsp. butter
A pinch of salt
2 cups hot milk (preferably whole)
2 tsp. real vanilla
2 cups sugar
5 eggs yolks
Cinnamon as garnish

In a medium saucepan, bring water to a boil with the lemon peel, butter and pinch of salt. Add the rice and let it simmer for about 20 minutes. Stir occasionally. When most of the water has evaporated, add the very hot milk. Simmer for 5 minutes and add the sugar and vanilla.
In a separate bowl, beat together the egg yolks and add a few spoonfuls of the rice mixture to temperate the egg yolks. Then add the now warm egg mixture to the saucepan and stir quickly until even.
Serve in a large dish or small shallow ramekins, and sprinkle with ground cinnamon to garnish.