Kavanarisi Recipe | Black Rice South Indian Breakfast Recipe | Chettinad Special

There’s nothing sweeter than starting your day with a delicious breakfast dish like Kavanarisi. Our Kavanarisi recipe is a Chettiar breakfast staple not much different from a pudding, which is made from black rice. This easy sweet Kavanarisi recipe is unique, decadent, and perfect if you love to start your day with something tasty.

How to cook kavanarisi?

Before we expound on this timeless classic black rice south indian recipe from Chettinad and tell you how to cook kavuni arisi rice (as it is also sometimes known), we must share a little about the ingredients required. Our Kavanarisi recipe uses minimal ingredients and doesn’t contain milk. The main ingredient for kavanarisi is black rice which is grown in the state of Tamil Nadu where the Chettiars are based. Black rice is soaked overnight and then pressure cooked with water till tender. Later, sugar is added for sweet stickiness, grated coconut for texture and flavour, ghee for richness, and cardamom powder for its sweet aroma.
 

Origin of Kavanarisi

Black rice is sometimes also known as purple rice or forbidden rice. It is grown across south east Asia in countries such as  Singapore, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Phillipines. In India apart from Tamil Nadu, black rice is also grown in Manipur where it is used in various indigenous preparations.
 

It was the Chettiars of Tamil Nadu who got the black rice to India while travelling to Malaysia and South East Asia during the nineteenth century. Have you wondered - what does black rice taste like? Well, it has a slightly nutty flavor and a texture which is chewy. Black rice becomes sticky and glutinous upon cooking, hence making a perfect black rice pudding.
 

The name Kavanarisi dates back 100-150 years when the Governor of the now disestablished Madras Presidency would import black rice from Burma. Hence, black rice came to be known as Governor’s rice. ‘Arisi’ is the Tamil term for rice and its name was tweaked to ‘Gavana-arisi’ at some point which meant Governor’s arisi and it is from there that the current name, Kavanarisi, evolved. Till date, all Chettiar celebrations feature this easy Kavanarisi recipe.
 

What are the benefits of black rice? Is black rice healthy?

Black rice gets its distinct and signature colour from a pigment called anthocyanin which exhibits high  antioxidant properties. Black rice is quite beneficial for health as it provides a good amounts of  protein, iron, and fiber. In fact, it was considered so nutritious that in ancient China its consumption was restricted strictly to the royalty. Black rice is also naturally gluten-free, hence, suitable for those with gluten allergies.
 

How is black rice pudding made? | Tips and tricks to make black rice pudding:

Black rice pudding is made by soaking it in water overnight. This step is crucial in making the pudding well. The rice is then be pressure cooked by adding fresh water and cooking it on medium heat. You can watch the process of making black rice in our detailed step-by-step video along with our recipe of Kavanarisi.
 

While making this pudding one must use grated coconut and not dessicated coconut. You could increase or slightly decrease the quantity of sugar as per your taste. You could prepare this kavuni arisi recipe a day ahead and keep it covered in the refrigeratior.  

Serving suggestions for black rice:

Kavanarisi is traditionally served for breakfast, but you could serve it post a meal as a dessert or even with evening tea. You could also choose to make it for special occasions. Kavanarisi is ideally served hot or at room temperature. You could top it with grated coconut as a garnish which contrasts with its dark colour.
 

Learn how to make sweet kavanarisi recipe at home with step by step pictures and video instructions above alongwith all ingredients and easy cooking method in the detailed recipe below.

And if you liked our Kavanarisi Recipe you may also like to try our:

Millet Kheer Recipe
The Best Ever Mango Pudding Recipe
Badam Halwa
Tomato Rava Upma
Shahi Phirni
Indori Poha
Vanilla and Chocolate Pudding
Queen of Puddings
Shahi Tukda
Chettinad Mutton Chops

Or see all our Sweet Recipes right here!