Rice Water Porridge (Omo Nsia)

Ingredients

• 1 cup (235 ml) jasmine rice or short-grain rice
• 5 cups (1.18 L) water
• ½ cup (120 ml) evaporated milk or coconut milk
• Sugar to taste
• ¼ tsp (1 ml) ground nutmeg
• ¼ tsp (1 ml) vanilla extract (optional)
• Pinch of salt

Instructions

1. Rinse the rice a couple of times to remove excess starch.
2. Place the rice and 5 cups of water in a large pot. Bring to a boil over high heat.
3. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the rice breaks down completely and the liquid becomes thick and creamy.
4. If the porridge is too thick, add more water to reach a pourable consistency.
5. Add evaporated milk, sugar, nutmeg, vanilla if using, and a pinch of salt.
6. Stir well and cook for 5 more minutes.
7. Pour into bowls and serve warm. Can be enjoyed with bread or on its own.

Tips & variations

• Use jasmine rice for the most fragrant result. Stir occasionally to prevent the rice from sticking to the bottom. The porridge should be smooth and pourable - more like a thick drink than a solid porridge. Some people add a stick of cinnamon while cooking for extra flavor. For a richer porridge, use half water and half coconut milk.