Kesar Bhaat – a classic Indian rice dessert made with rice, saffron, ghee and sugar, perfect for festive occasions.
If you are looking for a simple dessert for festive occasions, Kesar Bhaat is the perfect choice. This traditional sweet dish is made with rice, saffron (kesar), sugar, ghee and cardamom.
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About Kesar Bhaat
Kesar Bhaat also known as Saakhar Bhaat or Meethe Chawal is a sweetened rice dish made with fragrant basmati rice, ghee, saffron, sugar, and spices like cloves and cardamom. It is often made for festive occasions such as Diwali, Basant Panchami, Dassera etc. Garnished with nuts and dried fruits, it is not just a treat for the taste buds but also a visual delight with its beautiful colour.
Step-wise recipe with pictures
Soak a few strands of saffron in hot water and set them aside for 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, take half a cup of rice, rinse it thoroughly, and soak it for 30 minutes.
Next, heat a pan and add ghee. Add cashew nuts and roast them on low heat, add raisins and roast them as well. Once done, remove the fried dry fruits and set them aside.
In the same pan, add cloves and the soaked rice, mixing gently.
Pour in the saffron mixture and 1 cup of hot water. Cover and cook on low heat until the rice is about 80% cooked.
Now, add sugar, a few tablespoons of hot water, and a pinch of salt. Cover and cook on low heat for another 2 to 3 minutes.
Finally, stir in the fried cashews and raisins, along with a pinch of cardamom powder.
Once the rice cools a bit, it will fluff up. Kesar Bhaat is ready to serve.
Recipe Card
Kesar Bhaat | Sakhar Bhaat | Meethe Chawal
Ingredients
- ½ cup rice
- few strands of saffron (kesar)
- 2 tbsp ghee
- 12 to 15 cashew nuts
- ¼ cup raisins
- 5 to 6 cloves
- a pinch of salt
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1 cup + 3 tbsp hot water
- ½ tsp cardamom powder
Instructions
- Soak a few strands of saffron in hot water and set them aside for 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, take half a cup of rice, rinse it thoroughly, and soak it for 30 minutes.
- Next, heat a pan and add ghee.
- Add cashew nuts and roast them on low heat, add raisins androast them as well.
- Once done, remove the fried dry fruits and set them aside.
- In the same pan, add cloves and the soake drice, mixing gently.
- Pour in the saffron mixture and 1 cup of hot water.
- Cover and cook on low heat until the rice is about 80% cooked.
- Now, add sugar, 3 tablespoons of hot water, and a pinch of salt. Cover and cook on low heat for another 2 to3 minutes.
- Finally, stir in the fried cashews and raisins, along with a pinch of cardamom powder.
- Once the rice cools a bit, it will fluff up
- .Kesar Bhaat is ready to be served.
More traditional desserts
Basundi
Shrikhand
Sitaphal Basundi
Moong Dal Halwa
Rice Phirni
Mango Phirni
Moong Dal Kheer
Badam Halwa
Rice Kheer
Recipe Video
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