Gulab Ki Kheer / Rose Pudding Recipe

Gulab ki Kheer is a delicious and fragrant Indian dessert. As the name suggest , the kheer has dominant flavors of rose in it. A chilled creamy rose pudding is perfect treat during summers. It can be served for dinner parties or to make any occasion special ! It not only lifts up the mood but also has a cooling effect on the body. 

Roses are known to enhance the aesthetic beauty of anything they associate to and food is not an exception to it. Rose petals are used to decorate salads and desserts. Rose petals can either be dried and crushed in the recipe or fresh petals are either shredded or directly added to the food. Care should be taken while selecting the rose , edible organic rose variety ( desi Gulab) should be used in food. The rose petals should be cleaned and washed thoroughly in running water to make sure they are devoid of the harmful sprays( insecticides).  I have used both fresh rose petals and the dried ones in my Thandai recipe. 

I happened to taste Gulab ki kheer in Kingdom of Dreams for the first time. The name itself gave such a royal feel and the soothing taste still lingers in my mouth. Wanted to try out this wonderful dish since then. Luckily had a packet of Gulkand lying in my kitchen pantry , which we bought from Pushkar. Addition of fresh edible rose petals, rose water and Gulkand , imparted a royal flavor and delectable taste to the kheer. Pistachios made the kheer all the more rich and flavorful giving a crunchy bite to the creamy pudding. I made this Gulab ki Kheer for my in laws and they enjoyed it thorouhly :)

Health Benefits of Rose Petals and Gulkand: 

• Rose petals contain high content of Vitamin C , pectin, Citric and malic acid. They not only enhance the mood but also clear the toxins and heat from the body, providing it with certain cooling effect.Ancient Chinese medicine uses roses to treat digestive disorders, the pain from injuries and menstrual irregularities. http://www.diethealthclub.com/articles/497/diet-and-wellness/rose-petals-edible-and-good-for-health.html
• Gulkand( a sweet preserve of rose petals) is an Ayurvedic tonic. A powerful antioxidant and a very good rejuvinator. It helps to improve appetite and helps in digestion. Source:Wikipedia

Ingredients: 1  cup = 200 ml

• 3 cups of milk ( i have used full cream milk)
• 3 tbsp of Basmati Rice
• 1 tsp Ghee
• 1 cup fresh Rose petals( desi gulab ki pankhudiyan)
• 3 tbsp of Rose water (gulab Jal)
• 1/4 cup Sugar or as required
• 1/2 tbsp Gulkand ( Rose Petal Jam)
• 1 tbsp Chopped Pistachio

Method:

1. Wash 3 tbsp rice thoroughly and soak for 10- 15 minutes. Meanwhile boil 3 cups of milk and keep aside.  In a wok heat 1 tsp ghee and add the soaked and drained rice to it . Stir fry the rice in the ghee on a low to medium flame until fragrant. Put off the flame.

  2. Grind the rice to a coarse powder using a grinder without adding water to it.

  3. Transfer the ground rice powder to the same wok and add the boiled hot milk to it and put on the flame. Let the rice cook in the milk for about 5-7 minutes or until the rice is cooked.

  4. Wash the fresh rose petals thoroughly under running water , add these petals to the rice and milk mixtire.

  5. Add rose water and stir the kheer and allow it to simmer for 4-5 minutes more , or until the kheer is creamy and the rose petals blend well with the milk and rice mixture.

  6. Add sugar , mix well and let the milk boil again.

  7. Once the kheer is reduced to the desired consistency and turned creamy , add the chopped Pistachios and Gulkand. Give a quick stir, cook for a minute or so and put off the flame.

  8. Cool the kheer at room temperature and then freeze until serving time. Serve the delicious Gulab Ki Kheer chilled and enjoy with your loved ones !!

   I hope you would love to try out this recipe for yourself . Do not forget to give your valuable feed back. 

For more similar recipes, do check my posts on

• Suji ki Kheer
• Lauki Ki Kheer
• Sheer Khurma
• Shahi Lapsi Kheer
• Apple Rabadi