Shir Berenj - Persian Milk & Rice Pudding

شیربرنج Shir Berenj is a creamy, sweet and rosewater scented rice pudding. In Persian/Farsi,  "shir" means milk and "berenj" means rice. This is my mother's recipe that she used to make frequently. Short grain rice is preferred for shir berenj. As for the milk, since we usually drink 1 percent low-fat milk that's what I used in this pudding too. However, using whole milk is recommended since it would enhance the flavor and makes the pudding more creamy.

Eshgh (Love)

Shir Berenj - Persian Milk & Rice Pudding

Ingredients:

Serves 4

1 cup white rice (short-grain)

4 cups whole milk

2 tablespoons sugar

1-2 tablespoons rosewater
1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
Water

Toppings:

Cinnamon, honey, grape molasses or jam

Method:

1. Rinse rice with cool water and soak in water, preferably overnight or at least for eight hours. Drain. 
2. In a non-stick pot add rice and 2 cups of water on medium-low heat, bring to a gentle boil, lower the heat and simmer for about 10-15 minutes or until the rice is tender and the water is almost fully absorbed. Gradually stir the milk into the rice, cook, uncovered, for 30 minutes on low heat, stirring frequently to avoid getting a crusty bottom. This is a dish that we don't want to form a tah-dig at the bottom! 
3. Add sugar, cardamom and rosewater. Add more milk if needed. Stir well and simmer on low heat for another 15-20 until it thickens. 
4. Remove from heat and transfer the pudding into a large serving platter or single serving bowls or plates. Let it cool. 
5. Garnish with cinnamon.

Shir berenj is usually served with drizzled honey on top, rose petal jam or grape molasses (shireh angoor). You can cut the amount of sugar in half if you are using any of the toppings. It entirely depends on your personal taste.

Enjoy!