Rice Pudding with Caramelized Apples Recipe! #GladeHolidayMood

The Holiday season is upon us and usually this time of year brings nostalgic memories about those that are no longer with us, such as my abuelita (grandmother). If you are an avid reader of this blog, you have previously read about this special lady that made and continues to make a difference in my life even though she is no longer with us. One thing that brings me back to when I was a child living in Nicaragua, is the scent of canela (cinnamon) emanating from her small kitchen and her making us arroz de leche (rice pudding) and almibar (a dessert made of fruits, cinnamon and brown sugar). These desserts made the holiday entertaining more special not only for the kids but also for the entire family. For us, Thanksgiving sets the tone of the Christmas season, therefore this past weekend I decided to commemorate my grandmother by making her famous rice pudding and adding a bit of a twist to it.

Rice Pudding with Caramelized Apples Recipe! #GladeHolidayMood

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of rice
• 6 cups of milk (divided: 4 cups & 2 cups)
• 1 1/2 cup of packed brown sugar (divided: 1/2 cup & 1 cup)
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (dived 1/2 teaspoon & 1/2 teaspoon)
• 2 gala apples peeled and dice
• 1 stick of butter

Directions:

1. Place 4 cups of milk, 1 cup of rice and 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon into a deep sauce pan.
2. Simmer on medium heat until milk boils then lower to medium-low heat until rice is almost done, tender inside, stir every few minutes.
3. In a smaller sauce pan warm 2 cups of milk on low heat, stir often, about 15 minutes. Add warm milk to the rice mixture and add sugar stir often until desired consistency, it takes around 30 to 45 minutes to be ready on medium heat.
4. In another smaller sauce pan mix & cook 1 stick of butter, 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, diced & peeled gala apples on medium heat until sugar is melted.
5. Reduce heat and simmer on low for about 30 minutes, stir occasionally until apples are soft and golden brown.
6. Serve your rice pudding, mix in caramelized apples and serve.

While I was shopping at Publix for what I need it to prepare my abuelita’s Rice Pudding, I also noticed that the new Glade® Winter Collection Plugins Scented Oil Twin, Aerosol, candles and Wax Melts are now available in Sparkling Spruce™, Apple Cinnamon Cheer™, Frosted Cookie Party™, and Gingerbread Jingle™ (see image above). I decided to pick up a few Apple Cinnamon Cheer™ for me and for my mom since she was coming over to our house later in the afternoon and she would love to take some home with her.

As soon as I got home and before I began preparing my rice pudding, I decided to spray some of the Glade® Apple Cinnamon Cheer™ and immediately the boys came running asking what that delicious smell was. 🙂 I told them that I was going to make something delicious and to come back in about 30 minutes. Having two curious boys doesn’t help, as they keep asking me if I was done every 5 minutes, I guess that the Glade® Apple Cinnamon Cheer™ did its job!

As I began preparing my abuelita’s rice pudding my house filled with that special scent of canela that I always look forward to during the holiday season, with the help of the Glade® Apple Cinnamon Cheer™ spray, the scent of cinnamon migrated throughout my entire house.

I was just finishing my caramelized apples, when my mom arrived to our home and immediately asked what was delicious concoction I was preparing? My replied to her was to be patient and to wait a few more minutes while I finished making something her mother (my grandmother) used to make for us during the holiday season. I also told her that I had a small gift sitting on the table for her, since she loves to keep her house smelling great. She immediately opened her box with the Glade® Apple Cinnamon Cheer™ Wax Melts and loved the scent.

This holiday season, I invite you to prepare and serve my abuelita’s Rice Pudding with Caramelized Apples Recipe and to enjoy the new scents of #GladeHolidayMood. Be sure to let me know how your family loves this simple yet, full of flavor dessert. How do you celebrate your family’s traditions?