Fruit & Nut Rice Kheer

FESTIVAL: DIWALI 

RECIPE: FRUIT & NUT RICE KHEER

What is Kheer?

Kheer is a type of pudding from the Indian Sub Continent which is traditionally made from rice, milk, sugar and spices like cardamom, nutmeg, saffron and nuts. Adding spices depends from family to family or region to region. It is served for any festival, event, occasion, celebration. I’ve yet to come across anyone who doesn’t like kheer. Serve it hot or chilled. Depending on regions, kheer is known by different names payasa, payasam, phirni.

How is Fruit & Nut Rice Kheer Different?

Fruit and Nut Rice Kheer is not too different from the normal rice kheer. This kheer allows me to add loads of nuts and different fruits before serving it as a dessert.

Different Types of Kheer

While traditionally rice is used to make kheer, other grains like tapioca pearls, buckwheat, amaranth, vermicelli, paneer, millets, bulgar wheat, broken wheat, etc are used also.

• Apple Kheer – kheer without any grain but with grated apples.
• Red Rice Kheer– use red rice to give the traditional kheer a different taste
• Carrot and Coconut Kheer – made from carrot puree and coconut
• Makhana And Dry Fruit Kheer – Fox nuts are used to make this kheer
• Amaranth/ Rajgira Kheer – amaranth is used to make this kheer
• Samo/ Moriyo Kheer – Barnyard Millet is used to make this kheer
• Sabudana Kheer – using Tapioca Pearls to make kheer

What is Diwali?

Diwali is the festival of lights, the victory of good over evil. Read more about Diwali here. Diwali festivities are not the same as back in India. Diwali in India is so festive. Preparations begin months ahead, Diwali items for selling grace the shelves of every shop. Special offers in newspapers are more vivid than real news.

Diwali in Mombasa

Diwali in Kenya is not the same as in India. However, the Indian community in Mombasa, holds various functions to involve the Hindus during these auspicious days. Rangolis, creativity, fetes, competitions, firework displays, yummy food, poojas and havans. As soon as Navratri gets over everyone begins cleaning the house, getting sweets and savouries ready, shopping for gifts and new clothes.

Patel Samaj Diwali

Every year our community Patel Samaj holds a fete. There are various food stalls and games. Most of the people, Hindus and non Hindus come for the yummy food. Papdi no lot, Kachri bateta, Bhel, pani puri, sev puri, dosa, khichdi, pav bhaji,etc. Every year new varieties are added to the list. Everyone from the samaj or community tries to help in every way they can. Preparations for the Grand Deep Nagar Fete begins immediately after Navartri gets over. Other communities hold a dinner during the festive days for its members. Its the best place to meet and greet people as these days its not possible to go to everyone’s home to greet them.

Diwali Memories

Oh dear, as I am typing this, the power has gone… yes the reality of living in Kenya. Incidentally, cannot remember ever having a Diwali when the power has not gone. This morning I got all the ingredients ready to make Churma na ladwa for tomorrow and guess what, the power went away. How do I grind the nuts and sesame seeds? The only light at the moment is from the diyas and the computer 🙁

Decision to make Kheer

Anyway, lets get back to the recipe. Normally for Kali Chaudas which was today, we make doodh pak. This year I decided to make kheer. My daughter’s friend loves kheer and can finish bowlfuls of them in no time. When you look at him, he is as thin as a reed, that gets me wondering where all the kheer went! Any kheer and its his favourite. This Kali Chaudas decided to make rice kheer with loads of nuts and fruits instead of doodh pak.