Cardamom & Rose Rice Pudding (with Pistachios & Raisins)

Why you’ll love it: Silky, slow-simmered short-grain rice swirled with warm cardamom, citrus-floral orange blossom, and a whisper of rose. Sweetened naturally with honey and finished with toasted pistachios and plump golden raisins. Cozy warm or elegant chilled.

Specs

• Yield: 6–8 servings
• Active Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 55–70 minutes (plus chilling if serving cold)
• Pan: 3–4 qt heavy saucepan

Equipment

• Heavy saucepan (3–4 qt), fine-mesh strainer
• Wooden spoon or heatproof spatula
• Measuring cups/spoons; small bowl for soaking raisins

Ingredients

Base

• ¾ cup (150 g) short-grain rice, rinsed
• 5 cups (1.18 L) whole milk, divided
• ¼ tsp fine sea salt
• 6–8 green cardamom pods, lightly crushed or 1 tsp ground cardamom
• Optional aroma: Pinch saffron bloomed in 1 tbsp hot milk

Sweeten & Finish

• ⅓–½ cup (110–170 g) honey, to taste
• 2 tbsp (30 ml) orange blossom water
• 1–2 tsp rose water, to taste
• ¼ cup (40 g) golden raisins, soaked 10 min and drained
• ⅓ cup (45 g) pistachios, toasted & chopped (plus more to serve)
• Optional: Finely grated zest of ½ orange

Method (Detailed, Separated Steps)

Step 1 — Rinse & Pre-infuse (3–5 minutes)

1. Rinse the rice in cool water, swishing with your fingers, until the water runs mostly clear; drain well.
2. If using saffron, bloom the threads in 1 tbsp hot milk; set aside.

Step 2 — Slow Simmer the Base (25–35 minutes)

1. In a heavy 3–4 qt saucepan, combine the rinsed rice, 4 cups milk, salt, cardamom (and bloomed saffron if using).
2. Bring just to a boil over medium heat, then immediately reduce to a gentle simmer.
3. Cook uncovered, stirring frequently and scraping the bottom and sides to prevent sticking, until the rice is tender and suspended in a thickened, porridge-like liquid (about 25–35 minutes).

Step 3 — Sweeten & Cream (5–10 minutes)

1. Stir in the honey and the remaining 1 cup milk.
2. Simmer gently, stirring, until the pudding looks glossy and mounds softly on a spoon; it should still be a touch looser than final texture (it thickens as it rests).

Step 4 — Finish & Rest (5–10 minutes)

1. Remove from heat; stir in orange blossom water, rose water, drained raisins, and half the pistachios. Add orange zest if using.
2. Cover loosely and let stand 5–10 minutes to thicken. If it becomes too thick, loosen with a splash of warm milk.

Step 5 — Serve

1. Spoon into bowls warm or chill for at least 2 hours for a cooler, thicker set.
2. Top with remaining pistachios (and a few extra raisins). A tiny drizzle of honey right before serving is lovely.

Make-Ahead & Storage

• Keeps 3–4 days refrigerated in an airtight container. It will thicken—stir in warm milk to loosen.
• Not ideal for freezing (texture can become grainy).