Saffron Rice Pudding with Cardamom Honey Sweetpotatoes

Recipe created by Roxana Ehsani, M.S., RD, CSSD, LDN
Treat your loved ones to something special with this Saffron Rice Pudding with Cardamom-Honey Sweetpotatoes 🧡✨! A twist on traditional Persian saffron-spiced rice pudding, made extra sweet with creamy sweetpotatoes 🍠! 
DYK, sweetpotatoes 🍠🧡 are loaded with fiber, vitamin A, and antioxidants? They help support gut and immune health! ✨ 

Recipe

Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Servings 10
Calories 146 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup white basmati rice rinsed and drained
  • ¼ tsp saffron
  • cup granulated sugar
  • ½ tsp sugar divided
  • 2 tsp rose water
  • 2 medium North Carolina sweetpotatoes steamed and peeled
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • ½ tsp ground cardamom
  • Garnish: cinnamon, almonds, dried rose buds

Instructions
 

  • In a large pot, bring rice to a boil with 6 cups of water. Once boiling, reduce heat to low, and simmer for about 60-65 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the rice is very soft and has started to fall apart.
  • In a small bowl, use a mortar and pestle, crush the saffron with 1/2 tsp sugar, then pour 2 tbsp of hot water over it. Stir until dissolved.
  • Stir the saffron water, ⅓ cup sugar, and rose water into the rice. Cook for an additional 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and let cool for 30 minutes. 
  • Divide the pudding evenly among individual bowls.
  • In a food processor, blend the steamed sweetpotatoes with honey and cardamom. Top each bowl with 2 tbsp of the blended sweetpotato, using a knife to swirl it into the pudding. 
  • Garnish with slivered almonds, dried rose buds, cinnamon, and cardamom, if desired. Enjoy warm or place in the fridge to cool. The pudding will harden as it cools.

Notes

Nutrition Facts
Saffron Rice Pudding with Cardamom Honey Sweetpotatoes
Serving Size
 
1 (1/2 cup)
Amount per Serving
Calories
146
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
0.2
g
0
%
Saturated Fat
 
0.04
g
0
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
0.04
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
0.04
g
Sodium
 
26
mg
1
%
Potassium
 
177
mg
5
%
Carbohydrates
 
34
g
11
%
Fiber
 
2
g
8
%
Sugar
 
12
g
13
%
Protein
 
2
g
4
%
Vitamin A
 
6413
IU
128
%
Vitamin C
 
1
mg
1
%
Calcium
 
19
mg
2
%
Iron
 
0.5
mg
3
%
Net Carbohydrates
 
33
g
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition

Serving: 1(1/2 cup)Calories: 146kcalCarbohydrates: 34gProtein: 2gFat: 0.2gSaturated Fat: 0.04gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.04gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.04gSodium: 26mgPotassium: 177mgFiber: 2gSugar: 12gVitamin A: 6413IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 19mgIron: 0.5mgNet Carbohydrates: 33g