desserts · recipes · rice ·Jan 30, 2020

Mrs Balbir Singh’s Kheer Recipe | Indian Rice Pudding with Almonds and Cardamom

One of the most popular desserts across India is the famous and easy to make rice pudding: Kheer. There are many versions depending on region and even from family to family. Here’s one of Mrs Balbir Singh’s favourite North Indian kheer recipes which uses almonds and green cardamoms. Kheer has always been one of our family's favourite comfort foods on cold winter evenings at home in Delhi or London. Sometimes we change it up and use pistachios instead of almonds, and sometimes both!

Mrs Balbir Singh’s Kheer Recipe

Indian Rice Pudding with Almonds and Cardamom

Ingredients

60g (½ Cup) Basmati Rice

120ml (½ Cup) Water

1100ml (4½ Cups) Full Fat Milk (preferably Jersey Milk)

1 tsp Green Cardamom Pods, crushed

100g (⅔ Cup) Sugar

30g (½ Cup) Almonds, chopped

15g (¼ Cup) Sultanas or Raisins (optional)

4 drops Kewra Essence (Pandan Water) or can substitute with Rose Water

You can use one or a mix of any of the following optional garnishes for an added flourish:

Edible Silver leaves
Edible Rose Petals
Chopped Pistachios

Method

1. Boil the rice in the water until is cooked and the water has evaporated.

2. Heat the milk in a large heavy-bottomed non-stick pan, add rice and crushed green cardamom pods and simmer on a low heat for about 1 to 1½ hours stirring occasionally until the milk has reduced by about half.

3. Remove and discard the cardamom pods and then mash the rice. Then stir frequently until it is of a creamy consistency. Add 100g (⅔ Cup) sugar and stir further until this is dissolved. Taste and if you would prefer it sweeter add more sugar to your taste and stir until this too has dissolved.

4. Cook until the mixture becomes a little more creamy. Then add the kewra essence (or rose water) and the chopped almonds and mix well for a few minutes, then remove from heat and allow to cool.

Serve hot or cold by spooning into individual bowls and decorate with optional garnishes mentioned above if required. Tastes even better the next day if covered with cling film and cooled in the fridge.

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