Authentic Himachali Dham Mithe Chawal with Warm Meetha Bhaat
Experience the festive flavors of Himachal Pradesh with this fragrant, ghee-laden sweet rice cooked in aromatic spices and dry fruits. Traditionally served during community feasts known as Dham.
40min
Total Time
4
Servings
Himachali
Cuisine
Recipe
1
Drain the soaked basmati rice completely and set aside.
2
Heat desi ghee in a heavy-bottomed pan over medium heat, then fry the cashew nuts and raisins until golden and crisp; remove and set aside.
3
In the remaining ghee, add the green cardamoms, cloves, and cinnamon stick, letting them sizzle for a few seconds until fragrant.
4
Add the drained basmati rice to the pan and gently sauté it in the spices and ghee for about 2 minutes without breaking the grains.
5
Pour in the 2 cups of water, saffron milk, and food color, bringing the mixture to a rolling boil.
6
Reduce the heat to low, cover the pan with a tight-fitting lid, and let the rice simmer until it is almost cooked and the water is absorbed.
7
Stir in the sugar or jaggery powder gently, cover again, and cook on low heat for another 5 minutes as the sugar melts and infuses into the grains.
8
Turn off the heat, let it rest covered for 10 minutes, then garnish with the fried cashews and raisins before serving warm.
Ingredients
1 cup long-grain basmati rice, soaked for 20 minutes
3/4 cup sugar or jaggery powder
3 tablespoons pure desi ghee
4-5 green cardamoms
2-3 cloves
1 small cinnamon stick
10-12 cashew nuts
10-12 raisins
A few strands of saffron dissolved in 2 tablespoons warm milk
2 cups water
A pinch of edible yellow or orange food color (optional)
*This AI-generated recipe may contain inaccuracies.