RICE PUDDING WITH RAISINS AND CINNAMON (ARROZ CON LECHE)

Steps:

• Bring 2 cups water to boil in medium saucepan.
• Remove from heat.
• Add rice; let stand 15 minutes.
• Pour rice into strainer and drain, then rinse rice under cold running water until water runs clear.
• Bring 4 cups water to boil in large saucepan.
• Add rice, lemon peel strips, and salt and return to boil.
• Reduce heat to low cover and simmer until rice is almost tender, about 10 minutes.
• Drain and discard lemon peel.
• Combine 5 cups milk, sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, and 2 cinnamon sticks in large saucepan.
• Scrape in seeds from vanilla beans; add beans.
• Bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat to medium and boil gently until mixture thickens and is reduced to 2 3/4 cups (45-50 minutes).
• Remove vanilla beans and cinnamon sticks.
• Stir in rice, raisins and sugar.
• Continue to cook on low; stirring until raisins are plump and flavors blend, about 5 minutes.
• Spoon pudding to bowls,.
• Sprinkle with ground cinnamon and grated lemon peel.
• Garnish with cinnamon sticks, if desired.