Arroz Doce (Sweet Rice)

Step 1: Place the rice in a large bowl and add water to cover by more than an inch. Let sit for an hour.

Step 2: In a medium saucepan, combine the drained soaked rice, the water, butter and lemon peels. Bring to a boil, and then lower the heat and continue to simmer until all the water has been completely absorbed. Stir occasionally so the rice doesn't stick to the pan. Remove the lemon peels.

Step 3: In a large heavy saucepan, heat the milk until almost at a boil. Add the cooked rice and sugar and stir to combine. Bring to a boil, then lower heat and stir constantly until the rice has absorbed all the liquid. This takes about 30 to 45 minutes or until the rice has thickened to the point that if you take your spoon, you can separate the rice long enough to see the bottom of the pan.

Step 4: Taste the rice to be sure it is cooked through. If not, add another 1 cup of very hot milk and stir again until it has been completely absorbed.

Step 5: If you haven't already, separate the yolks from the whites. Beat the egg yolks with a whisk, and once the rice is cooked, add a couple of heaping spoonfuls of rice to the egg yokes, one spoonful at a time, stirring quickly. This will temper the eggs.

Step 6: Once tempered, ,add the egg mixture to the rice and cook for another few minutes for the eggs to cook.

Step 7: Pour the rice mixture into a large serving dish, or into individual serving bowls. Sprinkle with cinnamon, as a garnish.

NOTE: A large serving dish looks pretty if you sprinkle the cinnamon on top in a lattice pattern. You can use a piece of cardboard as a guide.