Saffron Cardamom Kheer Parfait
A delightful and elegant Indian dessert, this Saffron Cardamom Kheer Parfait layers creamy, fragrant rice pudding with crunchy granola and fresh fruit for a healthier, modern twist on a classic.
Ingredients
- 0.5 cup basmati rice
- 4 cups whole milk
- 0.25 teaspoon saffron threads
- 0.5 teaspoon green cardamom powder
- 0.25 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons sliced almonds
- 2 cups granola
- 1 cup mixed berries
Instructions
- Rinse 0.5 cup basmati rice thoroughly under cold water until the water runs clear. Soak the rinsed rice in 1 cup of water for 30 minutes.
- After 30 minutes, drain the soaked rice completely and set aside.
- In a heavy-bottomed pan or pot, bring 4 cups whole milk to a gentle boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching.
- Once the milk boils, add the drained basmati rice to the pan. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, stirring frequently, until the rice is cooked and the milk has thickened to a creamy consistency, about 25-30 minutes. Be careful not to let it stick to the bottom.
- While the kheer is simmering, warm 2 tablespoons sliced almonds in a small, dry pan over low heat for 2-3 minutes until lightly toasted and fragrant. Set aside.
- In a small bowl, crush 0.25 teaspoon saffron threads with the back of a spoon. Add 1 tablespoon of warm milk from the simmering kheer to the saffron and let it steep for 5 minutes.
- Once the kheer has thickened, stir in the saffron-infused milk, 0.5 teaspoon green cardamom powder, and 0.25 cup sugar. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, stirring continuously, until the sugar has dissolved.
- Remove the kheer from heat and let it cool completely. For best results, chill the kheer in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before assembling, as it thickens further upon cooling.
- To assemble the parfaits, take four clear serving glasses. Layer approximately 0.25 cup of the chilled kheer at the bottom of each glass. Top with 0.25 cup granola, then a layer of 0.25 cup mixed berries.
- Repeat the layers once more: kheer, granola, and mixed berries, ending with a final kheer layer.
- Garnish each Saffron Cardamom Kheer Parfait with a sprinkle of the toasted 2 tablespoons sliced almonds and a few extra mixed berries on top. Serve immediately or keep chilled until ready to serve.