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Roz Bi Haleeb (Arab Rice Pudding with Mastic)

Roz bi Haleeb is a traditional Lebanese recipe for a sweet rice pudding flavoured with rose water and mastic. The full recipe is presented here and I hope you enjoy this classic Lebanese version of Roz bi Haleeb.

prep time

15 minutes

cook time

65 minutes

Total Time:

80 minutes

Serves:

2

Rating:

Tags : Dessert RecipesLebanon Recipes

This is a classic Lebanese version of a sweet rice pudding. The rice is initially cooked in water and then finished in milk. The rice pudding is then flavoured with rose water and powdered mastic, a resin obtained from the mastic tree (Pistacia lentiscus). Mastic is excreted by the resin glands of certain trees and dries into pieces of brittle, translucent resin. When chewed, the resin softens and becomes a bright white and opaque gum. The flavour is initially bitter, but after some chewing, it releases a refreshing flavour similar to pine and cedar. Initially produced and consumed in ancient Greece its use has migrated to the Eastern Mediterranean, particularly the Levant.

Ingredients:

200g arborio rice
250ml Water
1l Milk
150g Caster Sugar
2 tbsp rose water
1/2 tsp Powdered mastic

Method:

Add the water and rice to a pan and simmer, stirring frequently until all the water has been absorbed. Add the milk and continue simmering for between 30 and 45 minutes, stirring occasionally. When the rice has softened and whilst there is still some milk left add the sugar and stir into the mixture. Then add the rose water and powdered mastic.

Cook for a further 2 minutes and pour into a warmed dish (if serving hot). Alternatively allow to cool, refrigerate and serve cold.