Friday, February 19, 2010

Horchata - Guatemalan/Mexican Rice Milk Beverage



Horchata (pronounced or - cha - tuh) is a traditional drink made from rice and found in many latin american countries. While some horchatas are served hot, with chocolate, or with cooked rice, this is the basic recipe.

Thanks goes out (again) to my dear friend Maria for teaching me how to make this treat that is an all time family favorite that my kids LOVE.

Please read all the way through as this is a tough recipe to share as a lot of it is just learned and is a bit tricky to explain. Note that this recipe can and should be made to taste. Therefore, more or less sugar, and more or less water depending on your preferences.


Ingredients
1.5 cups rice
3 c. water
1 t. cinnamon
1 can evaporated milk
1 t. vanilla
Water
Ice

Gallon size pitcher

Place rice, 3 c. water and cinnamon in blender and blend for approx. 5 - 10 minutes (depending on your blender) until only 1/4 - 1/2 cup of rice granules settle at the bottom of blender when allowed to rest for a minute.

Strain mixture into a gallon pitcher and set aside remaining rice granules.

Turn on faucet and WHILE adding water, add 1 can evaporated milk to pitcher. Fill pitcher until 3/4 full.

Add approx 3 cups water to the blender and swish around. Add 1 to 1.5 c. sugar and 1 t. vanilla and stir or lightly blend to mix.

Pour mixture from pitcher into blender, then turn around and pour blender mixture into pitcher. Repeat several (7 to 10) times, back and forth to thoroughly mix. Taste and add more water or sugar to taste (if it tastes a little chalky add more water. If too watery, add remaining rice granules to 1/2 c. water, blend, then strain and add to mixture.)

Add ice, chill and serve.

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