• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
I camp in my kitchen
  • Home
  • Recipe Index
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipe Index
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipe Index
×
Home » Desserts » Indian Dessert » Kheers & Kesari » Kesar Phirni - Rich and Creamy Rice pudding with saffron

Kesar Phirni - Rich and Creamy Rice pudding with saffron

Mar 11, 2019 · Modified: Jan 7, 2025 by Priya_Srinivasan ·

Sharing is caring!

Phirni, one of those desserts my lil one is crazy about. We usually don't eat out much. If at all we go, we got to Kamat, a restaurant nearby. It is the only restaurant we visit for lunch or sometimes for dinner. My lil ones menu there is constant, he will order manchow soup with poori, he loves to dip his poori in the soup and enjoy. This combination is so famous amongst our gang, that when we are all together all the kids order poori and manchow.

After mopping his soup and poori, he orders matkha phirni. It is his  favorite dessert, next to mango lassi, which we order during the mango season. He never shares his phirni with anyone, his dad would wantedly fights with him for a spoonful. Seeing his love for phirni, i decided to make it for him at home. 
The day i made phirni, he asked me whether i have made 'Matkha', he thought the name of the dessert is matkha/earthern pots😆. I tried to explain him that matkha is that bowl and actual name is phirni, but even then he likes to call it matka and i have stopped correcting him now. Afterall, what is in a name?

What is this Phirni?
Phirni is dessert made with milk and coarsely ground rice, sweetened wtih sugar, flavored with cardamon and saffron. The origin of this rich dessert is believed to be from the mughals rule in India. The dessert can be made in numerous flavors, kesar phirni, gulab phirni, makhana phirni and the list is endless and your imagination is the limit for the flavors in this versatile dessert.


Phirni Vs Kheer
Though it sounds similar to kheer, but kheer is made with whole rice, whereas phirni is made with coarsely ground rice. Kheer can be served warm, whereas phirni is mostly served chilled. Phirni thickens as it cools and the texture of it closely resembles that of a jelly, which attracted my lil one more. 

This is an easy make-ahead dessert for parties and festivities. When made fresh you can keep it refrigerated for good 2-3 days. I usually make it towards the weekend and all the boys enjoy it for the next 2 days. I wouldn't recommend storing it for more than 3 days, that too if the climate at your place is more  hot and humid, it is not advisable. 
The below quantity serves 7-8 people, depending on the amount served. The earthen pots i have used here holds 2-3 ladles of phirni each. 
Do try this luscious and rich kheer for this holi and enjoy it with your family. Do not forget to tag me #icampinmykitchen and let me know how you liked it


Ingredients

1 litre full fat milk
2 generous pinches of saffron
¼ cup basmati rice.
2-3 cardamom pods
2 nos cloves
⅓ cup - ½ cup sugar or (½ a tin condensed milk)
2-3 tablespoon of chopped nuts ( i have used almonds and pistachios)
few watermelon seeds and pumpkin seeds

Method

  • Soak basmati rice in water for 2-3 hours. Towards the end of the soaking time, in  a heavy-bottomed vessel boil the milk, remove 2-3tbsp of milk from the vessel and soak the saffron in it and set aside until use.
  • While the milk is boiling, drain the water from the rice, take it in a mixer along with cardamom and clove pods and grind it to a coarsely. I usually add 2-3 tablespoon of water to ensure smooth running of the mixie. Once done, add this coarsely ground rice to the boiling milk and mix well.
  • Keep a whisk ready and whisk the mixture as you add the rice mixture to the milk. This will help in breaking any lumps that might form. 
  • Reduce the flame to medium or even simmer and let the rice cook well in the milk. Stir often to ensure the bottom doesnt get burned.  Usually it takes around 8-10 minutes for the rice too cook. 
  • Once the rice is cooked,add the sugar to it and mix well. Once you add sugar, the phirni might liquify, but do not worry, it will thicken soon.
  • Let it for another 8-10 minutes, keep stirring, add the saffron soaked milk to this and mix well. Once the milk mixture is reasonably thick, take it off the stove and let it cool. Remember it will thicken more as it cools. I usually add some roughly chopped almonds and cashews to the phirni, we love the bite while enjoying the smooth phirni. 
  • Once it comes out to room temperature, pour it to individual matkhas/earthen pots and refrigerate. While serving, garnish with chopped nuts and rose petals and enjoy it chilled.
This post is part of #holikerang DESI BLOGGERS CONNECT facebook group. We have more delicious HOLI recipes by other members below

Moong Dal Ladoo
Thandai Gujiya/ Ghujiya
Methi Mathri
Thandai Recipe
How To Make Gujiya
Moong Dal Dahi Bhallas
Mawa Kachoris
Thandai And Dry Fruits Barfi
Rose Lassi (Flavoured Yogurt Drink Recipe)
Papaya Halwa
Thandai Chia Pudding
Instant Malpua Recipe With Condensed Milk
Thandai Powder

More Kheers & Kesari

  • Paneer Payasam
    Chennar Payesh | Paneer Kheer | Chenna Payesh
  • Millet Kheer
    Jhangore Ki Kheer | Kuthiravali Payasam | Millet Kheer
  • Semiya payasam
    Semiya Payasam | Vermicelli Kheer | Without Condensed Milk
  • Krishna Jayanthi Special Aval payasam
    Aval Payasam | Poha Kheer | Krishna Jayanthi Special

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  1. Mayuri Patel

    March 12, 2019 at 2:01 pm

    I am a huge fan of phirnis as opposed to kheer. love the containers used and phirni is a perfect sweet treat for the festive season.

    Reply
  2. My Culinary Journey

    March 13, 2019 at 5:53 am

    Phirni has always fascinated me along with kheer. Looking at you beautiful clicks I am planning to make this for Holi.
    Wonderful share

    Reply
  3. Ruchi's Veg Kitchen

    March 13, 2019 at 10:16 am

    Phirni looks so inviting. Love those cute Matkas. Loved it. So gorgeous clicks. Wonderful share for the festival..

    Reply
  4. spoonsofflavor

    March 13, 2019 at 11:33 pm

    The phirni look scrumptious! I am literally drolling over those pictures. The servings in the earthen pots even make these more drool worthy. Perfect share for the upcoming holi. An advance HAPPY HOLI!

    Reply
  5. Motions and Emotions

    March 14, 2019 at 5:10 am

    Wow... your phirni matkas look so good and set in those cute matkas so well..That shows the right consistency of the phirni...addition of kesar took the dessert to the another level

    Reply
  6. Jagruti's Cooking Odyssey

    March 14, 2019 at 7:05 am

    Oh Priya, wish I can gran those pots from the screen, rabri served in kulhad shows authenticity of the dish. Such a drool worthy pics.

    Reply
  7. cookingwithsapana

    March 14, 2019 at 8:09 am

    I am a die hardcore fan of Phirni and your kesar Phirni is calling my name. Omg �� now I am craving for it, btw love your cute earthen serving bowls.

    Reply
  8. jayashree

    March 14, 2019 at 1:40 pm

    The phirini looks so delish, one of the favourites at home. Loved those matkas that you have used here. Happy Holi to all of you

    Reply
  9. Vanitha

    March 14, 2019 at 10:10 pm

    Love those cute matkas! I love phirni and kheer; have to make your version of phirni soon. Awesome share dear <3

    Reply
  10. spoonsofflavor

    March 15, 2019 at 9:23 am

    Phirni is one of my all time fav and any dessert with an earthen pot makes me even more crazy. Love this delicious looking phirni with those beautiful pots. Great share dear!
    Geetanjali

    Reply
  11. Pavani

    March 16, 2019 at 12:33 am

    Phirni looks so inviting and I am drooling over your pics. Love those cute earthen pots.Perfect treat for any occasion.Happy Holi.

    Reply

Primary Sidebar

Newsletter Sign-up

Get a free e-book containing 5 easy vegetarian recipes.

Youtube :Latest Video in the Channel

https://youtu.be/OdLcoJjJwwQ

Footer

↑ back to top

Copyright © 2020 Brunch Pro on the Brunch Pro Theme

AS AN AMAZON ASSOCIATE I EARN FROM QUALIFYING PURCHASES.

Privacy Policy