Saffron Rice Kheer - Kesar Chawal Ki Kheer (Video)

// This Saffron Rice Kheer is a classic, rich and creamy Indian rice pudding flavored with cardamom, saffron and rose water. This makes a great dessert.



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Learn Kesari Rice Kheer Recipe | How To Make Chawal Ki Kheer | Saffron Rose Flavoured Rice Pudding with step-by-step-photos and video tutorial.

Kesari Rice Kheer is a classic, rich and creamy Indian rice pudding cooked with rice and milk is delicately flavored with cardamom, saffron and rose water. Full fat milk is evaporated to half during the cooking process to produce a thick, creamy base.

a bowl of kesari rice kheer with nuts and dried fruits on top

Mother’s day is round the corner. Do you guys have any plans for Mother’s day?

My Mom lives in India and I live in Europe, so My mom won’t be with me this year. So I will have to celebrate this Mothers’ day with her virtually by video chatting, of course! 🙂

Abhishek and Little-A must have planned some celebration for my motherhood, which I don’t know yet. I hope a wonderful surprise for me awaits somewhere. 🙂

Related: Seviyan Kheer

a bowl of kesari rice kheer with nuts and dried fruits on top a plate with a glass in background

I am not sure about the celebration at home, but right now, I know one celebration for sure that will be rocking. That will be the Mother’s day celebration for all the mothers of the kids at Little-A’s daycare.

I have got an official invitation for Mother’s day celebration at Little-A’s day care! Yeah! That’s going to be mommy-baby FUN time! 😀

At home, on this Mother’s day, I am planning to make some rice kheer. This is a dish loved by two of the most special ladies in my life – my own mom and my daughter.

Oh I am missing my Mumma very much. I just wish to be with her on that day. I still remember, I used to fight with my Mom all the time, probably like all the daughters. And now I miss her so much. And I am not talking about the fights here. 😉

Related: OAT STRAWBERRY KHEER

a bowl of kesari rice kheer with nuts and dried fruits on top

I will not be with her in India this Mother’s day, so I can not honour her with anything in person. However, I have planned some gifts and flowers along with a gorgeous cake — which would be delivered as a surprise right on the Mother’s day.

I know gifts cannot replace my absence, but this is the BEST thing I could do from a land far far away! 🙁

This is my way of showing my mom that I care for her. Though she knows it, we should not take our loving relationships for granted. Thus, I always try to tell her that she plays an important role in my life. And the best way to express this feeling is through some good food.

And that is why I will make her favorite dessert, Rice Kheer, on this Mother’s day.

If I tell you a secret about my Mom; she loves puddings. I mean, she is just so fond of this rice kheer, that I wish I could make her favourite Indian rice pudding for her on this Mother’s day! This has truly all her favorite things.

Especially she loves all milk desserts. They are her all time favorites.

Little-A, my 3-year old, just loves this rice pudding like her Granny! I must say Little-A would have gotten her taste buds genes certainly from her Grandmother.

Related: Carrot Sago Kheer

two pictures of a vase with rice in it

Little-A gets super excited whenever I tell her that I am making kheer! She would shout out loud in excitement, “Yeaahh! Kheel I like it, Mamma! Nom nom Kheel.”

Weekend noons are some we time for Abhishek and me. Yesterday afternoon, Abhishek and I were watching a movie at the time Little-A was having her afternoon nap. At about 3:00 pm, she woke up and came directly to me and out of nowhere, she said, “Mamma, Kheel!

I was surprised, so I asked, “What?”

She said again, “Mamma, Kheel!

I then asked, “You want kheer?” She nodded and said, YES!

Related: Fruity Rice Yogurt Pudding

Abhishek looked at me and we both laughed at Little-A’s cute and surprising demand. And then, Abhishek also wanted some. So, I had to make them happy.

a bowl of kesari rice kheer with a spoon and a copper bowl

Kesari Rice Kheer is a classic, rich and creamy Indian rice pudding cooked with rice and milk,and is flavored with cardamom, saffron and rose water. Full fat milk is evaporated to half during the cooking process to produce a thick, creamy base.

Kheer is a popular dessert throughout India. It is called by different names across India – Payasam, Khiri, Payesh etc. Although the names are different, the cooking technique is quite similar.

Rice kheer can be made for any festival or celebration or also as a sweet dessert which you can serve after meals at get-togethers.

Related: Creamy Fruit and Nut Couscous Paneer Pudding with Chocolate

I have a confession to make. As I child I never liked this dessert. Everyone else just loved this kheer which my Mom made. But I have never liked desserts and puddings! Yes, you heard me right! In other words, I just hated this kheer!

Mom would spend many hours making this much appreciated pudding, and I was the only one who always squeezed the nose when it was kheer for dessert! Mom always made another version of kheer (vermicelli pudding) for me, which I rather preferred.

I now adore the kheer so much. And especially with lots and lots of saffron, which gives this pudding a nice yellow color and a beautiful aroma. I also love to add almonds, cashews and raisins along with saffron and cardamom, and a drizzle of rose water after cooking.

Related: Chocolate Vermicelli Pudding

a bowl of kesari rice kheer with a other glass of kheer on a table

I am sold for this mighty kheer. I just love this pudding and simply crave for this particular dish many times. Time has changed and so did my taste buds.

I am sweet-toothed now! And to celebrate any occasion these days at home, I prefer to cook rice kheer. You see, times have really changed now! 😉

There are many ways of making this delicious dessert. But the two main ingredients of this pudding are rice and milk. You will find many versions of this mouth-watering delicacy. I am sharing my favourite version today.

You can also use different flavorings, and nuts for this pudding.

Also, I have used basmati rice, but you can use any other rice. Jasmine rice would work fine as well. I personally prefer pre-soaking the rice for an hour. This way it delivers the best results in terms of cutting short the cooking time.

And also making it into a creamier and softer rice pudding.

There is no big secret of making an awesome rice pudding. The only secret to make a delicious rice pudding is patience and love.

In my opinion, a rather quickly made rice pudding would not give that authentic taste. If you really want a good pudding, then you have to be patient.

Related: Candied Sago Pudding With Blueberry Sauce

I know, it’s asking too much. But I promise, it’s worth the wait and extra effort. That’s the key. I just love to take my time in slow-cooking rice pudding. And stirring with a long spatula as the rice gets creamier and creamier is a great experience in itself.

a bowl of kesari rice kheer with nuts and dried fruits on top

And while stirring, I listen to my favorite music. That takes me to an entirely different aromatic journey. Everything starts running in slow motion in my mind. Indeed a perfect time to daydream. 😉

Sometimes, I glance outside the window and feel my calming senses taking over my busy life. Cooking rice pudding makes me feel so alive.

Let the milk boil for a long time till it gets thick and creamy. Add saffron and boil more for a while. Add washed and soaked rice, and again patiently let it cook towards a perfect creamy kheer. At last, add loads of chopped nuts, some cardamom, and rose water.

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The end result should be perfectly creamy in texture, something worth if you are want to savor a great dessert.

It is an ultimate comfort food. Vegetarians would love this, as this is a pudding made without using any eggs.

Here is a delicious Kesari Rice Kheer Recipe | How To Make Chawal Ki Kheer | Saffron Rose Flavoured Rice Pudding recipe for you.

collage of photos of various ingredients and ingredients being used

Heat milk in a heavy bottomed pan and bring it to a boil.

Grind the Saffron with 1 tbsp of milk and add it to the Milk, and let it boil for 10 minutes.

Add rice and boil on medium-low heat till the kheer is creamy and the rice has cooked well. Keep stirring the pan and make sure it does not burn at the bottom.

Add sugar and cook on low heat for 6-8 minutes.

Add the cardamom powder, raisins, pistachio, almonds and cook on low heat for 2-3 minutes.

image of a pan with rice and a spoon with a mixture

Remove from heat, allow to cool a little. Drizzle rose water and mix well. Garnish with rose petals and chopped nuts. Serve hot or cold.

a bowl of kesari rice kheer with nuts and dried fruits on top on a plate

Other Indian desserts you might love:

  1. Jaipuri Malai Ghevar

  2. Kaju Katli Recipe

  3. Gulkand Dessert Paratha With Gulkand Raita Recipe

  4. Rasmalai Recipe

  5. How to Make Gulkand Pista Kulfi

  6. Gulkand Shrikhand Recipe

  7. Malpua Recipe

  8. Kesari Mawa Peda

  9. Kopra Pak

  10. Mohan Thal-2 Ways Video Recipe

  11. How To Make Rajasthani Moong Dal Halwa


Saffron Rice Kheer - Kesar Chawal Ki Kheer (Video) (Step-by-step photo instructions)

How to Make Rice Kheer (Kesar Chawal Ki Kheer):

  1. Add rice to a bowl, and rinse well.
  2. Image of the recipe cooking step-1-1 for Saffron Rice Kheer - Kesar Chawal Ki Kheer (Video)
  3. Add water to the rice and let it soak for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
  4. Image of the recipe cooking step-1-2 for Saffron Rice Kheer - Kesar Chawal Ki Kheer (Video)
  5. Heat milk in a heavy-bottomed pan and bring it to a boil.
  6. Image of the recipe cooking step-1-3 for Saffron Rice Kheer - Kesar Chawal Ki Kheer (Video)
  7. Grind the saffron with 1 tablespoon of milk, abd add saffron milk to the boiling milk.
  8. Image of the recipe cooking step-1-4 for Saffron Rice Kheer - Kesar Chawal Ki Kheer (Video)
  9. Stir well, and let it boil for 10 minutes.
  10. Image of the recipe cooking step-1-5 for Saffron Rice Kheer - Kesar Chawal Ki Kheer (Video)
  11. Add rice to the milk, and boil them together on medium-low heat till the kheer is creamy and the rice has cooked well.
  12. Image of the recipe cooking step-1-6 for Saffron Rice Kheer - Kesar Chawal Ki Kheer (Video)
  13. Keep stirring the pan to make sure it does not burn at the bottom.
  14. Image of the recipe cooking step-1-7 for Saffron Rice Kheer - Kesar Chawal Ki Kheer (Video)
  15. Add sugar and cook on low heat for 6-8 minutes.
  16. Image of the recipe cooking step-1-8 for Saffron Rice Kheer - Kesar Chawal Ki Kheer (Video)
  17. Now, add the cardamom powder, raisins, pistachio, almonds, rose water, and cook on low heat for 2-3 minutes.
  18. Image of the recipe cooking step-1-9 for Saffron Rice Kheer - Kesar Chawal Ki Kheer (Video)
  19. Remove the kheer from heat, allow it to cool a little.
  20. Image of the recipe cooking step-1-10 for Saffron Rice Kheer - Kesar Chawal Ki Kheer (Video)
  21. Garnish rice kheer with rose petals and chopped nuts.
  22. Image of the recipe cooking step-1-11 for Saffron Rice Kheer - Kesar Chawal Ki Kheer (Video)
  23. Serve hot or cold.
  24. Image of the recipe cooking step-1-12 for Saffron Rice Kheer - Kesar Chawal Ki Kheer (Video)

Recipe Card


Saffron Rice Kheer - Kesar Chawal Ki Kheer (Video) [Recipe]

Recipe Image
This Saffron Rice Kheer is a classic, rich and creamy Indian rice pudding flavored with cardamom, saffron and rose water. This makes a great dessert.
★★★★★
(Rating: 5 from 42 reviews)

Prep time 🕐 Cook time 🕐 Total time 🕐
1 hours 20 mins
Category ☶ Cuisine ♨ Serves ☺
Desserts Indian 4-6
Nutrition Info ⊛ Serving size ⊚
134 calories 1 serving

INGREDIENTS

Saffron Rice Kheer (Kesar Chawal Ki Kheer):
  • 1/2 cup basmati rice
  • 2 liters whole or full cream milk
  • 1/2 cup sugar, or as per taste
  • raisins, soaked in water for 15-20 mins
  • 2 tablespoons chopped pistachios
  • 2 tablespoons chopped almonds
  • 2 tablespoons chopped cashews
  • 1 teaspoon powdered cardamom
  • 1/2 teaspoon saffron strands
  • 2 tablespoons rose water
  • 2 tablespoon dried rose petals (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS:

How to Make Rice Kheer (Kesar Chawal Ki Kheer):
  1. Add rice to a bowl, and rinse well.
  2. Add water to the rice and let it soak for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
  3. Heat milk in a heavy-bottomed pan and bring it to a boil.
  4. Grind the saffron with 1 tablespoon of milk, abd add saffron milk to the boiling milk.
  5. Stir well, and let it boil for 10 minutes.
  6. Add rice to the milk, and boil them together on medium-low heat till the kheer is creamy and the rice has cooked well.
  7. Keep stirring the pan to make sure it does not burn at the bottom.
  8. Add sugar and cook on low heat for 6-8 minutes.
  9. Now, add the cardamom powder, raisins, pistachio, almonds, rose water, and cook on low heat for 2-3 minutes.
  10. Remove the kheer from heat, allow it to cool a little.
  11. Garnish rice kheer with rose petals and chopped nuts.
  12. Serve hot or cold.

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NOTES:

  1. No notes for this recipe.


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