Cleanse well a quarter of a pound of fine Italian rice. Place it in a saucepan with half a pint of water, adding half a pinch of salt, the zest of half a lemon, and one bay-leaf. Cook slowly for twenty-five minutes. Then put in three tablespoonfuls of powdered sugar and a pint of hot milk; finish cooking on a slow fire for ten minutes, and serve in a hot, deep dish.