Rice and Peanut Drink (Honduran Horchata)

Horchata is a very popular rice drink. Almost each and every country in Latin America has its own version of it. Basically it consists of soaking uncooked rice - amaranth is also used - with other ingredients such as peanuts, morro, pumpkin and sesame seeds in water, blend it all together and pass it through a sieve or strainer. In Honduras, horchata is prepared year-round and is especially made for birthday celebrations or large crowds due to its yielding rate. In contrast to Mexican horchata - very popular at Mexican restaurants - that uses almonds and milk, Honduran or Salvadoran horchata is predominantly made with peanuts and water. Also, a huge difference is the use of morro seeds in the Honduran or Salvadoran version. Morro seeds are the seeds of the morro fruit. Unfortunately, the seeds are not available in the United States. Instead, you can find ‘morro powder’ where the seeds have been ground up. This product can be purchased online, or at Latino grocery stores that carry Honduran or Salvadoran foods. The rest of the ingredients in horchata are always toasted to bring out their flavour and aroma. The rice makes the drink have a milky texture and seeds and nuts give it a deliciously nutty aroma.

2 cups long-grain rice, uncooked
½ cup dried morro seeds, toasted
¼ cup unsalted, unsweetened peanuts, toasted
¼ cup sesame seeds, toasted
1 gallon water
cane sugar

Garnish:
lime zest
cinnamon, grated

Wash the rice under running cold water and place in a large glass container along with the rest of the ingredients with exception of the sugar. Add ½ gallon of water, cover with a lid and soak for at least 6 hours or overnight (refrigerated).

Once the rice, nuts and seeds have soaked, add the rest of the water and blend it all together on high. You would need to do this in batches, making sure you stir the mixture well before it goes into the blender. Pass each batch of blended mixture through a strainer (the finer the better), pressing the mixture down with a spoon to extract as much liquid as possible.

Add more water if the mixture is too thick and sweeten with cane sugar. Add lime zest and freshly grated cinnmon. Serve chilled.

Makes about 1 gallon.