DESSERT / PAYESH

Indian Rice Pudding ( Kheer, Payasam or Payesh)

 Rice pudding is flavored with cardamom and full of nuts which is creamy in texture. It's a great dessert for any time of the year and its made all over India. In southern and eastern  India it is specially made for certain festivals. In the South, kheer is called payasam and in the east, it is known as payesh. We Bengalees cook payesh in any happy moments and time of celebrations.

Ingredients:

• 2 liters of full-cream milk
• 1 can (400 gms) Condensed milk
• 1 tsp. Cardamom powder.
• 1 cup of sugar
• 1/2 cup Basmati rice
• 50 grams of almonds
• 50 grams raisins
• 25 grams pistachios
• 50 grams cashew nuts
• A few strands of saffron and rose petals to garnish (optional).

PROCEDURE

1.   Wash the rice well and soak for half an hour in enough water to cover it fully.

2.   Put the milk to boil nicely in a deep, thick-bottomed pan and let it reduced a little.

3.    Add the soaked rice let it come to boil again at this point add the condensed milk and sugar and simmer. Cook till the milk thickens and reduces to half its original volume.

4.   Add the almonds, cashew nuts, pistachios, raisins, and cardamom and cook for 5 more minutes.

5.   Turn off the cooktop and add the saffron. Stir well.

6.   Allow the payesh to cool, then chill.

7.   Serve cold.