All Recipes
Chef Priya
Priya's Kitchen Notes

Easy recipes, bold spices, and stories from my family kitchen.

Starter Guide To Indian Flavor

Cardamom-Scented Sweet Rice

Zarda

(42 reviews)
"

I remember this dish from joyous family gatherings, where the sweet aroma of cardamom and saffron would fill our home, signaling a feast ahead.

"
Cardamom-Scented Sweet Rice
Prep time:10 mins
Cook time:30 mins
Total time:40 mins

Protein

5g

Carbs

55g

Fat

10g

Calories

320 kcal

Servings:
4
Gluten FreeVegetarian

Ingredients

basmati rice1 cup
(rinsed and soaked for 30 minutes)
water2 cups
sugar0.75 cup
ghee2 tbsp
blanched almonds2 tbsp
(slivered)
raisins2 tbsp
cashews2 tbsp
(halved)
salta pinch

Spices

green cardamom pods4
(lightly crushed)
saffrona pinch
(soaked in 2 tbsp warm milk)

Directions

Cook the Rice

  1. In a medium saucepan, bring water to a boil.
  2. Add the soaked and drained rice and a pinch of salt. Cook until the rice is about 75% done, approximately 8–10 minutes.
  3. Drain and set aside.

Prepare the Sweet Base

  1. In a large pan, heat ghee over medium heat.
  2. Add cardamom pods and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
  3. Add almonds, cashews, and raisins. Sauté for 2–3 minutes until the nuts are lightly golden.

Combine and Finish

  1. Reduce heat to low and add the partially cooked rice to the nut mixture. Stir gently to combine.
  2. Sprinkle sugar evenly over the rice and pour in the saffron-infused milk.
  3. Cover and cook on low heat for 10–12 minutes, allowing the sugar to melt and coat the rice.
  4. Turn off the heat and let it rest for 5 minutes. Fluff the rice gently with a fork before serving.
Chef's tip: For an extra indulgent touch, you can add a few drops of rose water or kewra essence before serving.

How did you like this recipe?

Click to rate

Collection of Indian Spice Blends

My Go-To Spice Blends

These are the five homemade spice blends I reach for again and again. Check out my free list of cherished family recipes that will bring bold, authentic flavor to your cooking.

More Indian Flavor

Sweet Cardamom Rice Pudding (Kheer)

Sweet Cardamom Rice Pudding (Kheer)

Kheer

A creamy North Indian rice pudding simmered with milk, sugar, and cardamom—served warm or chilled.

50 mins
DessertNorth Indian
Warm Carrot Halwa with Cardamom

Warm Carrot Halwa with Cardamom

Gajar ka Halwa

A heartwarming dessert made with grated carrots simmered in milk, sugar, and ghee, delicately spiced with cardamom and garnished with nuts.

1 hr
DessertNorth Indian
Sweet Milk Dumplings

Sweet Milk Dumplings

Gulab Jamun

Delightfully soft and syrup-soaked dumplings made from milk solids, offering a taste of Indian celebration with every bite.

50 mins
DessertNorth Indian

Behind the Recipe

Chef Priya in her kitchen

Hi! I'm Priya. I grew up in Delhi in a tiny kitchen filled with noise, spices, and stories. I learned to cook the way most of us do—by watching, tasting, and eventually doing. My mother never measured anything, but somehow every dish was perfect.

After I moved to the U.S., I found myself cooking the same dishes to feel close to home. Friends would ask for recipes, and I realized how unfamiliar Indian cooking still felt to many people here. That's what led me to start sharing—not just the food, but the how and why behind each step.

These recipes are rooted in tradition but shaped by life abroad. I try to keep things practical without losing what makes them special. If you've ever wanted to bring more Indian flavor into your kitchen, I hope this is a good place to start.