Meethe Chawal Recipe | Learn how to make Meethe Chawal for Basant Panchami

Sweetened Rice with Nuts and Saffron Basant Panchami Special from North Indian 

Gluten-free and Vegan friendly Rice Dessert

Meethe Chawal a delicious rice preparation from North India, made in Desi Ghee, colored with turmeric, flavoured with spices like saffron, cardamom, with lots of nuts. The dish has lot of variation within the Indian Subcontinent.

Many people make it with sugar and many add jaggery/gur to it for sweetness. Yellow or orange color is also added to give it a more vibrant color. ‘Zarda’ a popular and richer version of this rice, is flavoured with rose water and khoya along with nuts and candied fruits and orange peel is added to it.

Another Savory version  is Zafrani Pulao/Indian Saffron Pulao (vegetarian version), a delicacy from the Royal Kitchens of Awadh and Hyderabad.

Basant Panchami

Vasant Panchami is celebrated every year on the fifth day of the bright half of the Hindu lunisolar calendar month of Magha, which typically falls in late January or February. The festival commences forty days before the Spring festival HOLI. (It is generally winter-like in northern India, and more spring-like in central and western parts of India on Vasant Panchami, which gives credence to the fact that Spring is actually in full bloom 40 days after the Vasant Panchami day).

Meethe Chawal as it is popularly known in Northern States of India (Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana) is Basant Panchami special.  Yellow color that signifies vitality, strength, sunlight and happiness is the color of Basant Panchami. Wearing yellow color clothes and having yellow color rice dishes is considered auspicious on this day. People worship Goddess Saraswati, the Goddess of Knowledge, on this auspicious day. Namkeen Peele Chawal/ Tahri ( Turmeric Rice Pilaf with seasonal vegetables) is another dish that is popularly prepared on this day. Dishes from other states. Lemon Rice, Moong Dal Halwa, Rava Kesari (Saffron flavored Semolina Pudding) and many more. You can prepare Zafrani Pulao, Gatte Ka Pulao for the occasion. Kadhi Chawal is another favourite that you can make on this auspicious occasion.

Mom always prepared either Meethe Chawal or Tahri during this auspicious day. This is my mom’s recipe. She used to add jaggery with lots of desi ghee and cooked the rice in milk and water(50:50). The nuts are roasted in desi ghee and real flavour of the dish comes from the whole spices(green cardamom, cloves, bay leaf, cinnamon, black peppercorns, saffron) that are added to it. Basmati Rice which is one of the best rice quality and has a distinct aroma is traditionally used to prepare the dish.

Let’s see how I make this delicious, traditional Indian dessert with Rice!!

Detailed Recipe with ingredients and method in Recipe Card

To make the best Meethe Chawal..

• Soak rice at least half an hour before cooking.
• Desi Ghee gives the distinct aroma and taste to the dish.
• Roast nuts in ghee before adding to the rice.
• Add water/ milk carefully while cooking as the rice can turn mushy if more liquid is added.
• Don’t overcook and mix rice frequently as it can turn mushy.
• Use a heavy bottomed pan/kadhai or a non stick pan to avoid the burning of rice.

Do try this delicious Meethe Chawal Recipe for Basant Panchami or any of your special and auspicious occasion. I am sure you and your  special ones will surely love it.

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