Kheer Recipe (Indian Rice Pudding)
Kheer is a traditional Indian dessert made with rice, milk, and sugar, often flavored with cardamom and garnished with nuts. Here’s a simple recipe to make delicious Rice Kheer.
Ingredients
- 4 cups (1 liter) whole milk (full-fat)
- ¼ cup (50 grams) basmati rice
- 4 to 6 tablespoons sugar (adjust to taste)
- ½ teaspoon cardamom powder (or 2-3 crushed cardamom pods)
- 10 cashews or blanched almonds, sliced
- 10 unsalted pistachios, sliced or roughly chopped
- Optional: 1 pinch saffron, 1 teaspoon rose water, or a few drops of kewra water
- Optional: 2 tablespoons sweet raisins
Instructions
- Prepare the Rice:
- Wash the basmati rice thoroughly until the water runs clear, then drain it completely.
- Cook the Milk and Rice:
- In a heavy-bottomed pot, combine the milk and rice. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat.
- Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer. Stir occasionally to prevent the milk from scorching at the bottom. Cook for about 25-30 minutes until the rice is soft and slightly mushy.
- Add Sugar and Flavorings:
- Stir in the sugar and continue cooking for another 10 minutes until the kheer thickens slightly but remains pourable.
- Add cardamom powder, saffron (if using), and any additional flavorings like rose water or kewra water.
- Garnish:
- In a small pan, optionally heat a little ghee and fry the nuts until golden. Add them along with raisins to the kheer.
- Mix well and let it simmer for another 5 minutes.
- Serve:
- Kheer can be served warm or chilled. If serving chilled, allow it to cool to room temperature before refrigerating for a couple of hours.
Enjoy your homemade Kheer as a delightful dessert during festivals or special occasions!
