Why would you use turmeric and cardamom together? Here’s what each spice offers:
Turmeric: Turmeric has a warm and earthy flavor with a hint of bitterness, adding a vibrant yellow color and a subtle complexity to dishes.
Cardamom: Cardamom offers a distinct and aromatic taste with hints of citrus, mint, and spice, providing a refreshing and slightly sweet essence to both sweet and savory recipes.
Together you can combine them in a rice pudding for a uniquely tasting dessert, as we’ll see below.
Turmeric And Cardamom Rice Pudding
Here’s a recipe for Turmeric and Cardamom Rice Pudding:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup jasmine or basmati rice
- 4 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup raisins (optional) or small berries
- Chopped pistachios or almonds for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
- Rinse the rice thoroughly under cold water to remove any excess starch. Drain well.
- In a large saucepan, combine the rinsed rice, milk, sugar, ground turmeric, ground cardamom, and salt. Stir well to combine.
- Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat to low, cover partially with a lid, and cook for about 35-40 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- After about 30 minutes, check the consistency of the rice. If it’s too thick, you can add a little more milk to achieve your desired consistency.
- If using raisins, add them to the rice pudding during the last 5 minutes of cooking, stirring them in gently.
- Once the rice is tender and the pudding has thickened to your liking, remove the saucepan from heat.
- Let the rice pudding cool for a few minutes before serving. It can be served warm or chilled, depending on your preference.
- To serve, spoon the Turmeric and Cardamom Rice Pudding into bowls or dessert cups. Garnish with chopped pistachios or almonds for added texture and flavor, if desired.
Turmeric And Cardamom Comparison Summary
Here’s a table comparing turmeric and cardamom and what each offers in the Turmeric and Cardamom Rice Pudding:
| Ingredient | Turmeric | Cardamom |
|---|---|---|
| Flavor | Adds a warm, earthy flavor and a vibrant yellow color to the pudding | Contributes a sweet, floral, and slightly citrusy flavor to the pudding |
| Aroma | Adds a subtle fragrance and earthy aroma to the pudding | Contributes a rich, aromatic, and slightly spicy aroma to the pudding |
| Nutritional Benefits | Contains curcumin, known for its potential anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties | Contains essential oils and is believed to aid digestion and provide a sense of calm |
| Color | Imparts a golden hue to the pudding | Does not significantly impact the color of the pudding |
This table should help you understand the unique contributions of turmeric and cardamom to your Turmeric and Cardamom Rice Pudding recipe.
Summary
The Turmeric and Cardamom Rice Pudding has a creamy and comforting texture with a delightful blend of warm flavors. The earthy and slightly bitter notes of turmeric pair beautifully with the aromatic and citrusy essence of cardamom. The result is a rich and fragrant rice pudding that is both satisfying and exotic. Enjoy this unique twist on a classic dessert that showcases the vibrant flavors of turmeric and cardamom in a delightful and comforting way.
Final note…since we discussed rice in this post, you might be interested in another interesting dish that uses rice + spices that isn’t dessert and is very popular in Hawaii. Check out my article called What Spices Are On A Loco Moco? (Recipe) for more.