Phirni is a treasured Indian confection that brings sweetness and joy to every celebration. This traditional dessert is lovingly prepared for family festivals, religious occasions, and special moments.
Rinse 1/4 cup basmati rice, soak it for 30 minutes, then drain and coarsely grind to a gritty texture—not a fine powder.
In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, bring 4 cups whole milk slowly to a gentle boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching.
Add the ground rice to the simmering milk, stirring constantly to ensure the rice doesn’t clump; adjust heat to medium-low after rice is added.
Simmer the mixture, stirring often, until the rice grains are cooked and the pudding thickens, roughly 20–25 minutes.
Stir in 1/2 cup granulated sugar and 4 lightly crushed cardamom pods; cook, stirring, for another 5 minutes to fully dissolve sugar.
Turn off the heat, mix in 1 tsp rose water, and spoon the Phirni into individual serving bowls. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
Before serving, garnish each bowl with sliced blanched almonds and pistachios for texture and visual appeal.