Immerse yourself in the creamy, aromatic delight of **Indian Rice Pudding**, also known as kheer, a beloved dessert that combines indulgent flavors with comforting texture. This slow-cooked delicacy features fragrant basmati rice simmered gently in rich, whole milk until luxuriously thickened, infused with the warm, exotic notes of cardamom, saffron, and optional rosewater. Sweetened with sugar and garnished with golden raisins, toasted almonds, and cashews, each spoonful offers a harmonious blend of sweetness, nuttiness, and spice. Perfect for festive occasions or as an everyday indulgence, this classic Indian dessert can be served warm or chilled, making it a versatile treat for any season. Ready in under an hour, itβs a simple yet decadent way to elevate your dessert game while embracing timeless Indian flavors.
Rinse the basmati rice in water 2-3 times to remove excess starch and set aside.
In a heavy-bottomed pot, bring the whole milk to a boil while stirring constantly to avoid burning. This should take about 5-7 minutes.
Once the milk has come to a boil, lower the heat to a simmer and add the rinsed rice.
Cook the rice on a low flame, stirring frequently, until the rice grains are soft and the milk has reduced and thickened. This takes approximately 30-35 minutes.
Add the sugar to the cooked rice and milk mixture, stirring well until the sugar dissolves completely.
Stir in the crushed cardamom pods or ground cardamom along with the saffron strands. Let them infuse into the pudding.
Heat the ghee (if using) in a small pan and lightly toast the chopped almonds, cashews, and raisins for 1-2 minutes. Add them to the pudding and mix well.
Allow the pudding to simmer for an additional 5 minutes on low heat, stirring occasionally, until the flavors are well combined.
Optionally, add rosewater for a fragrant touch and stir to combine.
Serve the kheer warm or chilled, garnished with additional nuts and saffron strands, if desired.
Calories |
1405 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 71.9 g | 92% | |
| Saturated Fat | 24.3 g | 122% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.1 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 131 mg | 44% | |
| Sodium | 377 mg | 16% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 150.6 g | 55% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 7.5 g | 27% | |
| Total Sugars | 123.5 g | ||
| Protein | 49.3 g | 99% | |
| Vitamin D | 10.7 mcg | 54% | |
| Calcium | 1342 mg | 103% | |
| Iron | 4.6 mg | 26% | |
| Potassium | 2110 mg | 45% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.