Ever since getting back from my mission to El Salvador two and a half years ago, I have a harder time being alone than I ever used to. It takes me several hours to finally embrace the loneliness, and wth Matt being gone for most of this weekend, I had plenty of time to myself.
Maybe it was the loneliness, then, that got me craving some serious comfort food (and by serious, I mean that it either came from my mission or that my mom made it). So, since I’m 80 miles away from my mom, I decided to try out an El Salvadorean classic dish here at home.
I had to search through several boxes before I finally found the recipe, which I had written mostly in Spanish and tucked away in one of my mission planners. I got this recipe from Mama Haydee (pronounced eye-DAY), who I affectionaly called “Mama” when she became like a second mother to me. She didn’t have much in the way of worldly goods, but that woman always made sure to whip something up for us with the little that she did have.
Arroz con leche was my favorite.
I bet you anything you’d like it, too.
Since most of the recipe was written using the metric system, I converted it over to good ol’ American measuring, for your convenience (and mine!).
After whipping myself up a HUGE pot of this, it was like the loneliness melted away, and I can honestly say that I fully enjoyed the rest of my weekend.
So if you’re needing a little cure from loneliness or just a good, hot dish of something comforting, here’s your go-to recipe:
1 teaspoon cinnamon
When the mixture starts boiling, SLOWLY add four more cups (1 liter) of water. Bring to a boil again. Stir frequently.
Boil until rice is softer and hard to stir, then add 4 cups more (one liter) of water until the rice is soft and ready. Keep stirring frequently.
***Can add orange peelings as an optional flavoring.
Do you get lonely easily? What’s your cure for loneliness?
