Rice Kesaribhat {saffron infused rice pudding}

Rice Kesaribhat is a rich and indulgent sweet made with „Jeera Rice“. This rice is a short grain rice and very fragrant. The rice is infused with saffron which gives it a vibrant colour and flavour.

Ingredients
Serves 6-7

1 cup jeera rice * see notes
2 cups sugar
1.5 cups water
3-4 cloves
2 tablespoons cashewnuts , chopped
8 tablespoons ghee / clarified butter
1 big pinch saffron
1/2 teaspoon yellow food colour (optional)
2 & 1/4 th cup water to cook rice

Method

• In a Bowl , add rice and wash it 2-3 times with water.
• Drain water and keep aside.
• In a non stick pan , add 2 tablespoons ghee.
• Allow ghee to melt, add cashews and fry until colour changes.
• Remove onto a plate and keep aside.
• Into the same ghee , add cloves and when the cloves impart fragrant smell , add the washed and drained rice.
• Fry the rice in ghee until the extra water is drained and rice is fragrant.
• Remove the rice into a cook bowl or add to a pressure cooker directly.
• Add 2&1/4 th cups water and pressure cook for 2 whistles.
• Meanwhile take a big pinch of saffron in a small bowl.
• Add 1 tablespoon water and set it aside.
• Once the rice is cooked , remove from pressure cooker.
• In a non stick pan , add 2 cups sugar and water.
• Bring water to a boil and add yellow food colour.
• Mix it well and add the cooked rice.
• Give the rice a good mix and allow the rice to cook in the sugar water until thick.
• The rice will soak the water and plump up again.
• Cook on medium flame and keep stirring once in a while.
• When the water has evaporated and the mixture is thick , add the saffron water and mix well.
• Now keep adding 6 tablespoons of ghee and allow the rice to soak the ghee.
• Keep stirring once in a while and cook for another 5 minutes.
• Once the kesaribhat is thick add the fried nuts.
• Give a good mix and serve it hot !

Note – the best rice to use for kesaribhat is Jeera Rice. This rice is a short grain rice and very flavourful when cooked. If you do not have this rice , then sona masuri rice can be used.
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