Indian Sweet Saffron Rice with Raisins and Pistachios

Experience the vibrant flavors of Indian Sweet Saffron Rice with Raisins and Pistachios—an irresistible dessert infused with exotic saffron and the nutty richness of ghee. Perfectly cooked basmati rice is delicately sweetened with sugar, perfumed with green cardamom, and adorned with golden raisins and crunchy chopped pistachios. The luxurious saffron, soaked in warm milk, imparts its signature golden hue and floral aroma, making this dish as visually stunning as it is delicious. Easy to prepare in under 30 minutes, this warm, fragrant treat is ideal as a dessert or a festive side dish for occasions like Diwali or family celebrations. Treat your taste buds to this authentic Indian delight that beautifully blends sweet, floral, and nutty flavors.

Nutriscore Rating: 64/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup Basmati rice
• 2 cups Water
• 0.5 teaspoons Saffron threads
• 2 tablespoons Warm milk
• 3 tablespoons Granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons Ghee (clarified butter)
• 4 whole Green cardamom pods
• 2 tablespoons Raisins
• 2 tablespoons Shelled pistachios (chopped)
• 0.25 teaspoons Salt

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the basmati rice thoroughly under cold water until the water runs clear to remove excess starch. Drain and set aside.

Step 2

In a small bowl, soak the saffron threads in the warm milk for about 5 minutes to release their color and aroma.

Step 3

In a medium saucepan, bring the water to a boil. Add the rinsed rice and a pinch of salt. Reduce the heat to low, cover with a lid, and simmer for 10-12 minutes, or until the rice is cooked and all the water is absorbed.

Step 4

While the rice is cooking, heat the ghee in a skillet over medium heat. Add the green cardamom pods and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

Step 5

Add the raisins to the skillet and cook for 1 minute until they plump up. Stir in the sugar and mix well.

Step 6

Once the rice is cooked, gently fluff it with a fork. Pour the saffron milk over the rice and gently stir to distribute the saffron flavor and color.

Step 7

Add the ghee-sugar mixture to the rice along with the chopped pistachios. Carefully fold everything together to combine evenly, ensuring you don’t break the rice grains.

Step 8

Cover the pot and let the rice sit for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Serve warm as a dessert or alongside a festive Indian meal.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(821.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	825.5

Total Fat 36.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 19.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 75.2mg	0%
Sodium 628.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 117.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 4.0g	0%
Total Sugars 58.8g
Protein 12.2g	0%

Vitamin D 12.0IU	0%
Calcium 125.3mg	0%
Iron 4.3mg	0%
Potassium 491.6mg	0%

*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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 38.7%

Protein: 5.8%

Carbs: 55.5%