Pudin de Arroz Torta=Rice Pudding Cake, and Awards!

We live in a large Hispanic community here, in West Palm Beach Florida. We have all kinds of Hispanic cultures right here in our local area...in fact, it's advisable to speak the Spanish language, because every store you go into, especially our local Publix supermarket, you feel like you are in "little Havana"...seriously! In that particular supermarket, they have the most variety of Hispanic items, also as you check out you can just order a fabulous cup of "cafe con leche" for a lot less than in any coffee places you go to, along with the Cuban pastries with guava, and all the other amazing sweets can be found in their bakery section. As far as for the Pudin de Arroz Torta...the Rice Pudding Cake, that's my creation, derived right from the authentic Cuban Rice Pudding.

I learned how to make the authentic Cuban rice pudding from my younger sister's former Cuban m-in-law from Miami, that should have opened up a little "rice pudding"  stand, because her pudding is out of this world. They have this little secret of boiling the rice with large strips of lemon and/or lime strips, cinnamon sticks, and for more flavor, anise seeds. Also a must, is the sweetened condensed milk, and more cinnamon sprinkled on the top. The raisins are optional.

My recipe is versatile, as a cake, and I promise you so moist, and delicious, whether you choose to eat it warm, or cold, which I prefer. It is smooth, and melt in your mouth yummy! You don't really have to get fancy serving this heavenly cake because it is so, very rich. I actually made this cake for my daughter Lora, to have some nutrition since she needs to eat soft foods, and not necessary puddings. So why not a pudding cake?...just use more rice to the recipe, and less milk. No flour is needed in the recipe, but for sure, you need eggs. Four, to be exact. Again...I was preparing to guest post for Lora, but after all, she has more cakes, and sweets in her house, that she and Teresa are packing up for their friends, and neighbors to take home. As for me...I can only have a small piece, and even the rare desserts that I make, goes directly over to them. Surprisingly enough, I have a "skinny" family...LOL...go figure!

Pudin de Arroz Torta=Rice Pudding Cake
my recipe-adapted from Juanita's rice pudding recipe

2 cups of cooked long grain white rice
14 oz can  (397g.) sweetened condensed milk
dash of salt
1/4 cup sugar
wide strips of lemon and/or lime
juice of 1 lemon and/or lime
1 Tablespoon unsalted butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 cup raisins, optional
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon powder

Spray with cooking spray,  a 9x5 oven proof glass loaf pan. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. F.Cook the rice, according to directions, which is (1 cup of raw rice to 2 cups of water, cook only for 18 min.)

In a medium bowl, combine the cooked rice, the juices of the lemon, and/or lime. Discard the rinds of the lemon
from the rice. Add the sweetened condensed milk, and stir.
In another bowl, cream the sugar with the butter, add the vanilla, and eggs, and beat lightly with a fork. Add the rice mixture to it, and mix together.

Pour the mixture into the greased baking dish and bake for 55 minutes, or until set. Remove from the oven, and spread the brown sugar, and sprinkle with the cinnamon powder, and put under the broiler.

Keep oven door slightly ajar, so you can see it browning, melting, and when you see it bubbling, carefully remove from the oven, You can spread evenly the caramel on the top, with the back of a large spoon, and let it cool down to room temperature before serving, or chill in the fridge before cutting it, if you want to serve it chilled.

Serves 6. The caramel topping is my own creation. Just thought it would make it tastier, and prettier to serve.
Amazingly delicious, so easy to make!

Now, on to the awards...and I do apologize for not posting it sooner! 

I received this special award from Heather, @ Pass The Cayenne Pepper
Do visit her blog, and follow. She is very talented, and makes the most delicious and healthy dishes. You will be glad you did!


As you all know, this is the award that I passed on to my wonderful sisters who are my "angels"...also will be linking the list of the bloggers I payed it forward to. Thank you Heather for thinking of me, and honoring me with this special award that meant a lot to me, and to those I payed it forward to!

I received this beautiful award from my friend Mina, @Anegellove's Cooking.
She is an amazing baker, and cook, and her dishes are not your every day stuff you are used to. The photos will amaze you, and her talent will inspire you!
 
This award is so close to my heart, I'm so flattered and honored to have received it from her. I will pass this on to my former list of blogger friends, which is a huge list...cannot start all over again. to list some, and not include most, so if you don't see your name on the list, just let me know. I have every good intention to pass this lovely award on to you!
Here's my former link of the list of the "Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award" just feel free to link on it, and please accept Mina's beautiful award that I'm paying forward to you, from Mina. Thank you Mina...and thanks to all of you.
Please accept this Award...check your name on the list! 
Take care, have a beautiful weekend! Love to all!