Makhana Badam Kheer (Foxnut Almond Pudding)

Whenever I cook a festive Indian meal, Kheer happens to be an integral part of that menu. It could be the usual rice kheer, sevaiyan kheer, komola kheer or kheer made with fruits or it could be a unique combination of ingredients if inspiration strikes at the right time.

Kheer, derived from the Sanskrit word ksheer for milk and kshirika for any dish cooked with milk (ref. K.T. Achaya, A Historical Dictionary Of Indian Food) is known to be the food of the gods.

I grew up listening to many stories about kheer, some of them being humorous accounts of the great lengths people went through, to procure a pot of kheer. While reading stories to my little one at bed time, I found that many Indian folk tales have kheer as one of the central points, around which a story revolves. And I must confess that this makes it all the more interesting for me to cook kheer.

I find that making kheer is quite magical as well. Working my way through all the beautiful ingredients and spices like the saffron and cardamom, cooking and offering my respects to the supreme for bestowing such wonderful ingredients to work with and lastly, savouring and sharing the ambrosial kheer is soothing and satisfying to me.

The warmth that a bowl of kheer brings is very comforting and I like to eat my kheer warm or hot unless ofcourse the kheer is made with fruits that need to be served cold or at room temperature. Some people like to have their kheer cold, so I find myself dividing my kheer into two batches to be served warm and cold, according to one’s taste and preference.

Makhana (foxnuts) and badam (almonds) are the heroes of this dish. Both ingredients are nutrient dense and filled with a variety of tastes and textures. The makhana when roasted and cooked in milk develops a hearty texture which is very pleasing to the palate. And the almonds give a good consistency to the kheer by thickening it and imparting the kheer with their most wonderful flavour. This combination of these two amazing ingredients is sure to win the hearts of those who taste it!

Makhana Badam Kheer (Foxnut Almond Pudding) Recipe

Ingredients:

1 tbsp ghee

1 cup makhana

1 liter milk (preferably organic cow milk)

2 tbsp almonds (powdered)

saffron

cardamom powder

4 tbsp raw sugar

 

Method:

In a wok or kadhai, heat the ghee and when it melts, roast the makhana for 4 to 5 minutes, until it is nicely and lightly browned on all sides. Make sure that the makhana does not turn black.

Pour the milk and the powdered almonds, along with the saffron and allow it to come to a boil.

Lower the heat and cook until the milk thickens.

Turn off the heat and add the cardamom powder and sugar.

Serves 2 big or 4 small portions