Shola-e-Ghorbandi

Name: Shola-e-Ghorbandi
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Afghan
Ingredients: 1 cup short-grain rice; 4 cups whole milk; 1/2 cup sugar; 4 cardamom pods, crushed; 2 tbsp rose water; 1/4 cup chopped pistachios; 1/4 cup slivered almonds; 2 tbsp butter; Pinch of saffron threads; 1 tbsp ground cardamom

شوله غوربندی (SHO-lah ghor-BAN-dee)

Sweet Rice Pudding with Nuts

⏱ Prep Time 45 min

📈 Difficulty Easy

👥 Servings

🔥 Calories 322 kcal

A fragrant Afghan rice pudding cooked with sugar, cardamom, rose water, and scattered with pistachios and almonds. This beloved dessert is silky, aromatic, and deeply comforting with every warm spoonful.

Nutrition & Info

Protein 6.0g

Carbs 52.0g

Fat 10.0g

Protein Carbs Fat

Dietary

vegetarian gluten-free

Allergen Warnings

⚠ dairy ⚠ tree nuts

Equipment Needed

heavy-bottomed saucepan wooden spoon serving bowls

Ingredients

1 cup short-grain rice
4 cups whole milk
1/2 cup sugar
4 cardamom pods, crushed
2 tbsp rose water
1/4 cup chopped pistachios
1/4 cup slivered almonds
2 tbsp butter
Pinch of saffron threads
1 tbsp ground cardamom

Instructions

1
Rinse rice thoroughly and soak in water for 30 minutes. Drain well before cooking.
2
Melt butter in a heavy saucepan. Add drained rice and stir for 2 minutes to toast lightly and coat the grains.
3
Pour in milk and add crushed cardamom pods and saffron threads. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat.
4
Cook, stirring frequently, for 25-30 minutes until the rice is very soft and the mixture has thickened to a creamy pudding consistency.
5
Stir in sugar and rose water. Cook for 5 more minutes. The pudding should coat the back of a spoon.
6
Pour into serving bowls and top with chopped pistachios and slivered almonds. Serve warm or chilled.

💡

Did You Know?

Shola-e-ghorbandi takes its name from the Ghorbandi people of central Afghanistan, who are credited with perfecting this particular style of rice pudding.

Chef's Notes

Equipment Tips

heavy-bottomed saucepan
wooden spoon
serving bowls

The Story Behind Shola-e-Ghorbandi

Sweet rice dishes have been part of Afghan cuisine for centuries, reflecting the Persian and Central Asian tradition of using rice as a base for both savory and sweet preparations. Shola-e-ghorbandi is one of several Afghan rice pudding variations, each associated with a different region or occasion. The use of rose water and cardamom connects this dessert to the refined flavors of Persian court cuisine, while the generous scattering of nuts reflects Afghan hospitality and generosity.

🕐 Traditionally enjoyed dessert, celebrations, nowruz 📜 Origins: Ancient Persian-Afghan sweet tradition

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Shola-e-Ghorbandi

Nutrition & Info

Dietary

Allergen Warnings

Equipment Needed

Instructions

Did You Know?

Chef's Notes

Equipment Tips

The Story Behind Shola-e-Ghorbandi

Comments (0)

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