Greek Rice Pudding (Rizogalo)
For me this is a recipe that instantly transports me to my childhood. The smell is magical and the taste is magnificent. Its truly hard to believe that something so simple can taste so good. The keys to this recipe are the milk and arborio rice. The whole milk makes the pudding super creamy and the arborio rice adds to its texture (since it’s the same rice we use for risotto).
My main advice for this dish is to keep the heat on low and stay on top of it. If you have a non stick pot, that would be ideal. The milk will easily bubble over if left unattended (even on low heat it will bubble over). You need to be stirring it every few minutes for about 30 minutes total time.
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Greek Rice Pudding aka Rizogalo
Ingredients
- 5 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup arborio rice
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 large orange (with peel)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cinnamon stick
- garnish: cinnamon spice
Instructions
- In a large pot, add in the milk, rice, sugar, orange slice, vanilla and cinnamon stick. Bring this mixture to an almost boil and lower heat to a simmer. Allow the mixture to cook on LOW heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens and the rice is cooked – about 30 minutes total time. STAY ON TOP OF THIS POT THE WHOLE TIME. It will bubble over if left unattended. Also, use a skimmer spoon to remove most of the 'skin' that the milk produces from the top of the mixture.
- Transfer portions to four small bowls and sprinkle with cinnamon. Serve warm or allow the pudding to come to room temperature and then cover and refrigerate.
Notes
Nutrition
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This is a fun recipe, and tastes so good. Couple tweaks to get the consistency right, 30 minutes of low simmer is a guideline, I usually do 40-45 minutes to feeding more of the pudding consistency, I also double the vanilla, as I like a more vanilla taste to it.
Hi Carissa, glad the recipe was to your liking and thanks for sharing your feedback with everyone! Cheers!
Love it. The fragrance of the orange while cooking was refreshing. Delicious 😋
Hi Debbie, EXACTLY!! i’m all about the orange here too!
Man, everything you make is mouthwatering! TY for existing ❤️ Love your energy and food!
HI Gaby, YOU are awesome! thanks so much for the kind message! Have an awesome day!
Are the measurements correct? Your recipe calls for 5 cups of whole milk and 1/2 cup of arborio rice and I followed your recipe exactly and had way too much liquid left over. I ended up having to add more rice and cook longer and it finally turned out great 😉
Mine was super thin at the end, any way to make it thicker and creamier?
I made this tonight and very much enjoyed it! Everything I read online says not to rinse Arborio rice as this rinses away all the extra starch that gives it its signature creamy quality. I rinsed only once and next time will omit the step completely. Perhaps especially important if using a plant based milk (as I did) as they are generally thinner than animal milk. Thanks for all your amazing recipes!
HI Maowli, Fantastic and I thank you for the rinsing tip feedback. Will adjust my recipe to reflect your tip! Cheers to you!
Can you leave out the orange?
yes!
What do you suggest as an alternative to the refined sugar? Honey? Maple syrup?
I would use coconut sugar as a sub. or monkfruit or stevia
Do you know if there’s a way to make it using a non-dairy milk option by chance?
Hi Julie, I havent tried an alternate milk however I have gotten feedback from someone on fAcebook that canned coconut milk works.
I made with almond milk tonight and was delicious! Will try with a different plant based milk next time as the almond flavour does come through quite a bit.
I made using unsweetened vanilla almond milk and it was delicious! Plant based milks are thinner consistency so don’t rinse the rice, makes for a creamier pudding! I bet it would be great with any plant based milk.
Can you use jasmine rice?
Hi Kathryn, you can but the smooth texture of the pudding will not be the same.
Hi Stella, is the nutrition value based on 1/4 of the batch (one of the four bowls)? I assume it is but wanted to ask. This sounds delish and looking forward to making it!
Hi Brant, Yes it is based on one fourth of the batch. Enjoy!
Excellent recipe!!!
That’s how I always make it.
👍
Hi Kiki, thanks so much! Its a seamless and yummy recipe for sure!