Jaggery-Sweetened Rice Pudding
A traditional Bengali dessert with short-grain rice simmered in milk with jaggery and cardamom for deep caramel notes. This indian ready in about 55 minutes pairs short-grain rice, water, whole milk for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup short-grain rice
- 2 cups water
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1/4 cup jaggery
- 1/2 tsp ground cardamom
- 2 tbsp cashews
- 1 tbsp ghee
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse 1/2 cup short-grain rice under cold water until the water runs clear, then drain.
- Step 2: In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed rice, 2 cups water, and 1 tbsp ghee. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20-25 minutes until rice is tender and water is absorbed.
- Step 3: Stir in 2 cups whole milk, 1/4 cup grated jaggery, and 1/2 tsp ground cardamom. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, for 15-20 minutes until mixture thickens to a pudding consistency.
- Step 4: Stir in 2 tbsp chopped cashews and cook for 2 more minutes.
- Step 5: Remove from heat and let cool for 10 minutes before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Jaggery-Sweetened Rice Pudding take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (10 min prep + 45 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Jaggery-Sweetened Rice Pudding?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep short-grain rice from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Jaggery-Sweetened Rice Pudding?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Jaggery-Sweetened Rice Pudding for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Jaggery-Sweetened Rice Pudding?
Indian indian like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Loved it! The jaggery flavor is so authentic and the rice was perfectly cooked.
- ★★★★★
The jaggery gave such a deep, caramel-like sweetness that made the pudding magical. My whole family loved it!
- ★★★★☆
Tasted great, but it took about 20 minutes longer to cook than the recipe said. Still, worth it!
