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.
Ingredients required to make Fruit &Nut Rice Kheer:
- Rice – I have used white rice
- Milk – dairy milk but for vegan version can replace it with any nut milk
- Sugar – I’ve used refined sugar
- Fresh Fruits – of your choice. I’ve used pomegranate and grapes. You can add mango, nectarine, banana, strawberries, bluueberries, etc.
- Cardamom – powdered. Elachi powder.
- Nutmeg – jaiphal. In the powder form
- Saffron – kesar. Add to the hot kheer.
- Raisins – optional but adds a lovely sweet bite to kheer.
- Ghee – for roasting the rice. For vegan option can use oil or coconut oil.
Dietary Tips:
- For a vegan version, replace dairy milk with vegan friendly milk and the ghee with oil.
- Gluten Free
- Vegetarian
- Satvik
FRUIT AND NUT RICE KHEER
Ingredients
- ½ cup uncooked rice
- 5 cups full fat milk
- ¼ -⅓ cup sugar
- ½ cup chopped mixed nuts lightly roasted
- ½ cup chopped fresh grapes
- ¼ cup pomegranate seeds optional
- 1 tsp cardamom powder
- ½ tsp nutmeg powder
- ¼ tsp saffron
- 1 tbsp ghee
- 2 tbsp raisins
Instructions
- Wash the rice till the water appears clear.
- Let it soak in water for 15 – 20 minutes.
- Drain out the water.
- Heat ghee in a saucepan over medium heat.
- Add the rice and stir fry it for 1-2 minutes.
- Add the milk and let the rice cook in it.
- Keep stirring frequently so that the rice and milk do not stick to the bottom of the pan..
- Let the mixture simmer till the milk quantity becomes half and the rice is cooked completely.
- Stir frequently and keep on scrapping the milk solids that form on the sides of the pan and put it into the simmering mixture.
- This will take about 20 – 25 minutes.
- Add sugar and raisins. Let it simmer for 3- 5 minutes. Remember to stir frequently. By now the mixture should be thick.
- Take the pan off the heat. Add cardamom, nutmeg powders and saffron.
- If you want hot kheer, add the fruits and nuts and serve.
- If you want to serve the kheer cold, it let cool down and then keep in the fridge till needed.
- Add the fruit and nuts and serve.
Notes
- Add sugar according to your taste.
I used a mixture of almonds, walnuts, pistachios and cashew nuts.
Use any other fruit of your choice like chikoo, fresh figs, berries, mango, fresh peaches, nectarines etc.
If the mixture becomes too thick on cooling, add a bit more milk and mix.
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A little request:
If you do try this recipe then please either
- add a comment below,
- send a picture to my email mayuri.ajay.patel62@gmail.com
- tag me as #mayuri_jikoni on Instagram
- or tag me on Twitter as #Mayuri1962