Ingredients

¼ cup basmati rice (organic)

¼ cup arborio rice (risotto rice, organic)

2 quarts whole milk

½ cup sugar

2 tablespoons rice flour

2 tablespoons golden raisins

2 tablespoons heavy cream or 1 tablespoon ghee (optional)

1 teaspoon ground cardamom (adjust per taste)

2 teaspoons rose water

2 tablespoons almond slices

1 tablespoon unsalted, slivered pistachios

¼ teaspoon saffron (optional)

Additional nuts for garnish

Rose petals for garnish

Instructions

Step 1: In separate bowls, soak the basmati rice and arborio rice in water for one hour. Drain them well, gently crushing some of the basmati rice but avoiding over-crushing.

Step 2: In a wide, heavy-bottomed pot, bring the milk to a boil over medium-high heat, which should take about 8 to 10 minutes.

Step 3: Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the drained rice to the milk and cook for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent the milk from boiling over or sticking to the pot. Adjust heat as needed.

Step 4: Add sugar to the pot and continue cooking for another 30 minutes until the rice is tender and starting to blend into the thickened milk.

Step 5: Mix ¼ cup of the cooked pudding with the rice flour to create a smooth paste. Stir this paste back into the pot and cook further to achieve a creamier texture.

Step 6: Add the golden raisins and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Then stir in heavy cream or ghee (if using), ground cardamom, rose water, almond slices, and pistachio slivers. Simmer for an additional 10 minutes.

Step 7: Crush the saffron and sprinkle it over the pudding. Remember to stop cooking when the pudding reaches about 75% of your desired thickness, as it will thicken more while cooling.

Step 8: Garnish with extra nuts and rose petals. Serve the kheer warm or chilled according to your preference.

Tips & Variations

Soaking the rice helps soften the grains and speeds up cooking time while giving a smoother texture.

Using a mix of basmati and arborio rice combines fragrant aroma with creamy consistency.

Substitute rose water with orange blossom water for a different floral note.

For a vegan version, replace whole milk and cream with coconut milk, and omit ghee.

Keep stirring frequently during cooking to avoid burning or sticking to the bottom of the pot.

FAQs

Can I use only one type of rice for this recipe?

Yes, you can use either basmati or arborio rice alone, but the texture may differ. Basmati gives a more grainy pudding, while arborio yields a creamier consistency.

Is it necessary to add rose water and saffron?

No, these ingredients add traditional fragrance and color but can be omitted if unavailable. You can enhance flavor with other spices like cinnamon or nutmeg as alternatives.