My Mamita was more of a “cooking grandmother” than a “baking grandmother”, so many of my memories surrounding her food revolve around salty dishes, not so much desserts. She did have a list of very traditional Colombian sweets in her repertoire that she would make, but her focal point was always the main meal.
Mamita’s Arroz con Leche was one of our favorite desserts and she made it for us once a week. Thankfully, I learned how to make it with her and wrote down her recipe before she died, which in itself is a gift from her every time I make it. Creamy, sweet and rich it instantly takes me right back to her warm and very inviting home.
These Empanadas de Arroz con Leche (Rice Pudding Empanadas) are very popular in Colombia and my grandmother made them with her leftover rice pudding. Empanadas and Arroz con Leche! Two popular Latin dishes together in one dish! You have to admit, it doesn’t get much better than that. The warm and flaky dough, the sweet and creamy rice pudding filling is a delight in the mouth. I made a double batch with the hope to keep some in the freezer for later, but it didn’t last!
Buen provecho!
Ingredients
- 12 large or 20 small Empanada discs for baking (See the recipe here)
- 1 batch of rice pudding (See the recipe here)
- Sugar for garnish
Directions
- Place about 1 to 2 heaping tablespoons of arroz con leche (rice pudding) in the center of each dough circle.
- Fold the empanada discs and seal the edges with a fork or your fingers. Brush the top of the empanadas with the rest of the beaten egg and sprinkle sugar on top. Chill the empanadas for about 20 minutes.
- Pre-heat the oven to 400 F and bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden.
Evelyne@cheapethniceatz says
Totally a marriage of 2 great recipes, I so want to try it now, love rice pudding!
Luciamunecalindacarajo says
I try your tamales tolimences, and they are really good, I have made them before, and they were terrible, all that work to throu away, but thank you for your recepies. Las he disfrutado mucho, ami tambien me gusta cocinar.
Donna says
Lucia de donde eres? Mi hermana y yo nos reimos mucho de tu nombre.
Maria y Marcela en Kentucky
grace says
this is definitely a new one, erica! you’re combining two fabulous things and the result is SO appealing! bravo!
sillygirl says
I don’t know what I would have to do to have “leftover” rice pudding – those words just don’t go together! But I’ll try – this sounds heavenly and so wonderful for you that strong memories are linked to it. We should all have those kinds of memories.
alvaron says
Buenísima la receta Érica, una novedad para mí, nunca se me había ocurrido hacer empanadas como estas. Gracias por la idea!
Andrew says
would love to give them a try. looks delicious.
Nic says
The pastry looks particularly amazing! They look different from the others. I would love to see step by step photos on how you make them like this. Thank you for sharing your grandmother’s recipe with us.