Rice Kheer Recipe Tips

 Rice Kheer Recipe : A Traditional Indian Dessert

Rice Kheer is a classic Indian Dessert, often prepared of festivals, special occasions, or when you crave a sweet treat. Made with simple ingredients like rice, milk, sugar, and flavored with cardamom and nuts, this creamy dessert has been a favorite in Indian households for centuries. Here's a detailed recipe to make the perfect rice kheer at home.

Ingredients:

1. 1/4 cup basmati rice (or any other white rice)

2. 1 liter full fat milk

3. 1/4 cup sugar (adjust to taste)

4. 4-5 green cardamom pods (lightly crushed or powdered)

5. 10-12 almonds (blanched and sliced)

6. 10-12 cashews (halved)

7. 8-10 pistachios (optional, sliced)

8. 8-10 raisins (optional)

9. A pinch of saffron strands (optional)

10. 1-2 tbsp ghee (clarified butter, optional)

Instructions:

1. Rinse the rice thoroughly under running water and soak it for 20-30 minutes. This helps the rice cook faster.

2. Blanch almonds and slice them along with other dry fruits like cashews and pistachios.

3. Soak a pinch of saffron in warm milk if you plan to use it.

Cooking the Kheer:

Heat the Milk: In a heavy bottomed pan, pour the full fat milk and bring it to a boil. Stir occasionally to prevent the milk from burning at the bottom.

Add Rice: Once the milk comes to a boil, drain the soaked rice and add it to the boiling milk. Reduce the heat to low and let the rice cook.

Simmer and Stir: Stir frequently to ensure the rice doesn't stick to the bottom. Allow the rice to cook fully in the milk. This should take about 20-25 minuts, during which the milk will reduce and thicken.

Sweeten and Flavor the Kheer:

Add Sugar: Once the rice is cooked and the milk has thickened, stir in the sugar. The amount of sugar can be adjusted based on your taste. Let the sugar dissolve completely.

Add Cardamom: Add the powdered cardamom or crushed cardamom pods for a delightful fragrance and flavor.

Optional Add Ins: If using saffron, soaked raisins, or fried cashews and almonds, add them at this stage. If you prefer a richer texture, you can also add a spoonful of ghee.

Cook Further:

Let the Kheer simmer on low heat for another 5-10 minuts until it reaches the desired consistency. Remember, the kheer will thicken further as it cools.

Garnishing and Serving:

Once the kheer reaches the consistency you like, turn off the heat. Garnish with additional dry fruits and a few strands of saffron.

You can serve rice kheer hot or chilled, depending on your preference. If you like it cold, let it come to room temperature, then refrigerate for a couple of hours.

Tips for Perfect Rice Kheer:

1. Consistency: Some prefer their kheer thick and creamy, while other like it with more milk. Adjust the cooking time and milk quantity according to your preference.

2. Stir Frequently: Keep stirring the kheer while it simmers to prevent it from burning or sticking to the bottom.

3. Nut Options: you can experiment with different nuts or even skip them entirely. Coconut slivers, charoli (chironji), or even edible rose petals can be used as alternatives.

4. Rice Texture: For a creamier kheer, you can mash some of the cooked rice with the back of the spoon to break it down into the milk.

Variations:

1. Vegan Rice Kheer: Replace regular milk with coconut or almond milk. Adjust the cooking time, as non dairy milk tend to heat and thicken quicker than regular milk.

2. Jaggery Kheer: Swap sugar with jaggery (unrefined sugar). How ever, add jaggery only after the kheer has cooled slightly, as jaggery can curdle hot milk.

Rice Kheer is an indulgent dessert, offering a perfect balance of creamy sweetness and comforting warmth. It's not only easy to make but also versatile enough to suit different testes and preferences. Whether served at the end of a festive meal or simply enjoyed on a quiet evening, it's sure to leave you satisfied.!