Meethe Chawal | Saffron Rice | Kesar Pulao
Author: 
Recipe type: Dessert
Cuisine: Indian
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 2 Cups
 
Sweet and fragrant, simple saffron rice or meethe chawal
Ingredients
  • ¼ Cup long grained Basmati Rice
  • 2 Tbsp ghee
  • 2-3 cloves/laung/lavanga
  • 1 long pepper/hippali/pippli
  • 1 big pinch saffron/kesar
  • 1 Tbsp warm milk
  • ½ Cup water
  • 2 Tbsp raisins
  • 1 small pinch turmeric
  • 2-3 Tbsp sugar
  • 4-5 elaichi powdered
Method
  1. In a bowl, take the basmati rice and rinse with water 2-3 times, keep aside
  2. Heat a pan on low flame and add ghee
  3. Once ghee melts add the whole masala, long pepper, laung and let it turn fragrant for a few seconds
  4. Meanwhile, add warm milk to a big pinch of saffron and keep aside
  5. Next into the pan, add the washed rice and fry it in ghee for a few seconds until the rice turns nutty
  6. Add ½ Cup water or so and let it cook
  7. Tip in the raisins, cover and let it cook
  8. Next add saffron milk and a pinch of turmeric
  9. Time to add the sugar, mix slowly and let it cook, also add the elaichi powder
  10. Cover the pan and let it rest
  11. With light hands mix the meethe chawal until the grains are separate
  12. Sweet fragrant meethe chawal is now ready to eat
Notes
Adding the correct amount of water and letting the rice cook before adding sugar is the key

Add cashews for a more festive feel and to add richness

If you do not have long pepper skip it, a small pinch of jaiphal powder (nutmeg powder) will also work. A small piece of javitri (mace) can also be added

This recipe can be easily doubled/tripled, adjust sugar and water accordingly to rice added, Rice:Water ratio is always 1:2 to get a well cooked meethe chawal
Recipe by Food Of Interest at https://foodofinterest.com/meethe-chawal/