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Indian Festival Foods » Narali Bhath | Sweet Coconut Rice

Narali Bhath | Sweet Coconut Rice

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"You don't have to cook fancy or complicated masterpieces - just good food from fresh ingredients." - Julia Child.  Celebrating Julia Child's would-be 104th birthday on August 15th!

Today we celebrate 'Raksha Bandhan - A festival to celebrate the love and the lifetime bond of sisters and brothers. Sister ties a decorative thread on her brother's wrist for his well-being and in turn, the brother promises to protect her for a lifetime! Sweet isn't it?

coconut rice served in 2 silver bowls

How about the special dessert we enjoy on this day? My all-time favorite 'Narali Bhath '- Sweet coconut rice cooked with aromatic cardamom, cloves, raisins and then garnished with saffron and lightly fried cashews! Absolutely delicious and simple recipe that I make throughout the year.

sweet coconut rice served in a white plate

You can use freshly grated coconut or the frozen fresh coconut that is available in most grocery stores. Any kind of rice works but I like to use the long-grained, aromatic Indian Basmati rice. Few other basic ingredients used in this recipe - cardamom, cloves, a little bit of ghee, raisins, saffron, sugar, and cashews(optional).

ingredients for coconut rice

This recipe is a traditional Maharashtrian recipe and also one of my mom's signature dishes that was passed down to her by her mother. Every time I make this dish it stirs up the nostalgic memories of my childhood!

Step by Step Sweet Coconut Rice Recipe

  • Add the saffron to warm milk and keep it aside. Toast the cashews in a pan or stir-fry them in 1 teaspoon of ghee. Keep them aside for garnishing. Rinse and drain the rice. Heat a medium pot and add ghee to it. Add cloves and cardamom and fry them for a minute on medium heat. Add the rice to the pot and stir it gently with the cloves and cardamom for 2 mins.
toasted rice in a pan
  • Add salt and water. Bring it to a boil on medium-high heat. Turn the heat on simmer and cover the pot. Let the rice cook for 10 minutes. At this time the rice will be fully cooked. Gently pour the rice in a wide platter and let it cool down for 5 mins.
cooked rice in a bowl
  • Take a spoonful of rice and gently mix it with the saffron soaked in milk. Keep aside for garnishing. Mix the cooked rice with sugar, grated coconut, cardamom powder, and raisins. 
cooked rice with sugar, coconut, raisins and cardamom
  • Put it back in the pan the was used to cook the rice.  Put a lid on the pan and cook on low heat for 30 minutes.
coconut rice in a non stick pan with cashews and bloomed saffron next to it.
  • Garnish with cashews and rice mixed with saffron. Can be served hot or at room temperature.
coconut rice in a non stick pan

★ Have you tried this recipe? We love your feedback, Please click on the stars in the recipe card below to rate.

Tried this recipe? We love your feedback.Please click on the stars in the recipe card below
Narali bhath{sweet coconut rice}
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5 from 2 votes

Coconut Rice

Sweet coconut rice cooked with aromatic cardamom, cloves, raisins and then garnished with saffron and lightly fried cashews. 
Prep Time15 mins
Cook Time45 mins
Total Time1 hr
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Indian
Servings: 6
Calories: 394kcal
Author: Archana Mundhe

Ingredients

  • 1 pinch saffron
  • 1 tablespoon milk
  • 2 tablespoons cashews
  • 2 tablespoons ghee
  • 1 cup rice
  • 4 cloves
  • 2 cardamoms
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup grated coconut
  • 1 teaspoon cardamom powder
  • 2 tablespoons raisins

Instructions

  • Add the saffron to warm milk and keep aside. Toast the cashews in a pan or stir-fry them in half a tablespoon of ghee. Keep them aside for garnishing.
  • Rinse and drain the rice. Heat a medium pot and add ghee to it. Add cloves and cardamom and fry them for a minute on medium heat. Add the rice to the pot and stir it gently with the cloves and cardamom for 2 minutes.
  • Add salt and water. Bring it to a boil on medium-high heat. Turn the heat on simmer and cover the pot. Let the rice cook for 10 minutes.  At this time the rice will be fully cooked. Gently pour the rice in a wide platter and let it cool down for 5 minutes.
  • Take a spoonful of rice and gently mix it with the saffron soaked in milk. Mix the cooked rice with sugar, grated coconut, cardamom powder and raisins. Put it back in the pan the was used to cook the rice.  Put a lid on the pan and cook on lowest heat for 30 minutes.
  • Garnish with the cashews and rice mixed with saffron. Serve hot or at room temperature.
  • Enjoy and Happy Rakshabandhan!

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 394kcal | Carbohydrates: 67g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 6mg | Sodium: 207mg | Potassium: 183mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 34g | Vitamin C: 0.7mg | Calcium: 17mg | Iron: 1.2mg
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Author: Archana

Hey there! I am a techie turned recipe developer, cooking instructor, and food blogger. I love food and enjoy developing easy and healthy recipes for busy lifestyles. I live in New Jersey with my husband and two sons.
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Cook with Smile.. says

    Very interesting recipe..?

    • Archana says

      Thank you!

  2. Steve says

    Mast aahe.....in case you don't understand my Marathi.... It's very nice..... Looks beautiful....

    • Archana says

      Thank you aani Marathi samajale mala!

  3. dishdessert says

    recipe healthy and gourmet!

    • Archana says

      Thank you!

  4. elliebleu says

    I love coconut rice and can't wait to try it with saffron. Your photos turned out beautiful!

    • Archana says

      Thank you! Please let me know how you like it.

  5. Anu Yalo says

    Good one!!

    • Archana says

      Thank you Anu!

  6. healthyindiankitchen says

    Just yesterday I had this at a friend's place for raksha bandhan. Nice recipe?

    • Archana says

      Thank you Mona!

  7. Monika says

    Wow.. awesome..

    • Archana says

      Thank you Monika!

  8. Utkarshini Khanna says

    love that saffrony color!!

    • Archana says

      Thank you Utkarshini!

  9. tingleurtastebuds says

    Archana we make rice with sugar crystals or the fine sugar but it's mostly mashed up. Yours looks yumm. ??

    • Archana says

      Thank you! I would love to learn your recipe too!

  10. swatidavemehta says

    Hi Archna...I simply loved most of your recipes(I could see only partial of the long list) and their manner of presentation! They are so tempting!!

    • Archana says

      Thank you for your kind words Swati! I look forward to trying your amazing recipes too! Avocado truffles look so good.

      • swatidavemehta says

        Sure Archna...thanks a lot

  11. Sandhya says

    Your Narali bht looks superb, Archana

    • Archana says

      Thank you Sandhya!

  12. Pan says

    You had me at sweet ?
    This looks both fabulous and festive !!! The saffron rice is beautiful in this.. And all the ingredients are ones that my taste buds do cartwheels over ?

    • Archana says

      Thank you Pan for your kind words! This is a simple no-fail recipe with few ingredients that everyone loves!

      • Pan says

        And perfect for tiny kitchen cooking ?

        I really need to make a,

        Tiny Kitchen Approved seal ?

        • Archana says

          Yes, this one approves for tiny kitchen!!

  13. munchkinontheroad says

    Reblogged this on On the Road Cooking and commented:

    A sweet recipe for a sweet sentiment. In Honor Of My Daughter and Son's close bond, may it never be broken❤️

    • Archana says

      Thank you for reblogging, Pan!

      • Pan says

        By the way, my sister reblogged it on our site before I could get to it.. Thanks goes to her ?

        • Archana says

          Thanks to her!!

  14. Starr @ The Misfit Baker says

    Lovely recipe. I adore saffron and am always looking for new recipes for it. Thank you for sharing!

    • Archana says

      Thank you Starr! It is quiet simple to make. I hope you like it

  15. Pan says

    Want you to know I picked up saffron this morning but forgot the coconut ? Hopefully I get a chance to get back to a grocery soon..

    • Archana says

      Yay! So look for frozen grated coconut, much easier to use. readily available in indian stores.

      • Pan says

        Thanks ! I'll post a pic in the reblog of your post when I do ?

        • Archana says

          Look forward to it!

  16. Il bruciacchio says

    New recipe for me! Thanks.

    • Archana says

      Great! Let me know how you like it!

  17. InspiresN says

    beautiful clicks, wonderful recipe!!

    • Archana says

      Thank you!

  18. Meenal Pangarkar says

    Used your recipe yesterday to make naarali bhaat...turned out just perfect!5 stars

    • Archana says

      Thank you Meenal. Hope you had an awesome Raksha Bandhan