A dessert for every type of weather – Kheer

Who does not like to have dessert (once in a while)? Well today, I will be telling you about one of my favorite cultural desserts known as Kheer. Many people may know this as rice pudding since it’s almost the same thing, but kheer has a sort of unique taste to it which you could only recognize once you have tried it. The good thing about kheer is that you can eat it both hot and cold, and it will taste good either way. In winter, eating warm kheer will help you relax and feel comfortable. While this recipe does not have many ingredients, it still requires a lot of patience and hard work to make. Every time this was made in my family, I would eat the leftovers for many days because it lasts for a long time and the fresh taste remains as the days pass. 

 So, this recipe originates from South Asia around 2000 years ago and has both religious and cultural significance. The tradition describes how Krishna disguised himself as an old man and challenged a king to a chess match. The old man placed a bet with the king stating that he should owe him a grain of rice for every square of the chessboard. However, there was one small catch which was that the grain of rice would multiply with the previous square. At the end, the old man ended up with trillions of grains of rice that the king owed him. Krishna reveals himself and instead of forcing the king to pay, he creates a tradition where kheer should be served to anyone that entered the temple, without any payment. In addition to the religious aspect, culturally kheer was immensely popular during the time that the British ruled in the Indian Subcontinent.  

Now you may wonder how rice pudding can have any significance? Isn’t it just a simple recipe which requires little time? Many people may think this, but I believe that the significance actually comes from the effort that is required. While making the kheer, you must keep stirring the rice with the milk or else everything will burn. This can get very tiring and will make some people want to quit. Personally, this reminds me of the effort that is required in life. While some people may believe that life is simple and everything will be handed to them, I am reminded that you cannot achieve anything without working towards it. Also, life is something that requires patience and trust in yourself without quitting. Effort and hard work is required for everything that you want to achieve and that is the only way that people may become successful. In addition to this, when kheer is prepared it is always something that you give to your family and extended family such as your relatives. This also reminds me that once you achieve something that requires hard work, you never forget about the people that were with you from the beginning and always share your success with them.  

Now let’s finally get to the recipe: 

You will need: 

• Basmati rice 

• Milk 

• Sugar 

• Cardamom powder 

• Chopped almonds, cashews, and pistachios (optional) 

(Ingredients are based off preference but make sure to have more milk than rice or it will become too thick) 

Steps:  

• Rince your rice a couple of times in water and then soak it for 30 minutes 

• Boil the rice on medium heat until the consistency is very soft 

• On a separate pot add milk and let it boil on low heat 

• Add cardamom powder to the milk while it boils 

• Add the rice to the boiling milk and mix while it cooks 

• Stir for 30 minutes in intervals 

• When the consistency becomes more thicker, add sugar  

• Keep stirring in intervals for 30 more minutes 

• Once the consistency becomes thick, add crushed nuts (optional) 

• When it starts bubbling on low heat, turn off the heat and let it cool 

• Now it is ready to serve 

• Add more nuts for garnishing (optional) 

Can be served hot or refrigerated!