Sole Food: Pinching pennies post-grad style

Horchata

In light of this recent heat wave, I thought it would be nice to post a recipe for horchata = refreshing and delicious summer beverage made from rice milk/water/cinnamon.

Ingredients:

1. 1 1/3 cup uncooked white rice
2. 1 cup milk
3. 5 cups water
4. 2 sticks of cinnamon (I prefer using sticks--they're $1 for a package located in the hispanic foods aisle at most grocery stores) Otherwise, use 1/2 tablespoon of ground cinnamon.
5. 1/3 cup - 2/3 cup sugar
6. Splash of vanilla (to taste)

Directions:

1. Add rice, 2 cups of water and cinnamon sticks into blend and blend until sticks and rice are ground.
2. Add the rest of the water and continue to blend. *
3. Place out in hot sun (on porch or balcony, etc.) and let sit for 6 to 12 hours. **
4. Strain mixture into a pitcher through a sieve (I bought a handheld one for about $1 at Haggen--baking section)
5. Stir in milk, sugar and vanilla---serve over ice. Delicioso!

*Be careful not to over mix this part; I always do and a lot of grounds make it through when I use the sieve.

**Direct sun is best, but next to a window or in the fridge is just as good too!

Photo: foodnetwork.com

Original recipe + tips from comment by "Serena" from July 16, 2008