Makhana Dates Kheer / Payasam / Pudding

 

          Kheer / Payasam is one of the most common and a very popular Indian sweets. It is a must in all festivals, ceremonies or auspicious occasions. So check out this yummy kheer prepared with phool makhana / fox nuts and dates. So it is a sugar free dessert. It takes very little time to dish out and turns out just amazing with just a few ingredients easily available in your kitchen. 

              Makhane is a very healthy snack item that can be enjoyed by just dry roasting it in butter and ghee. You can sprinkle some pepper or chili powder for a spicy flavour. 

              However, dessert made of makhane are equally tempting, is apt for festive occasions and is also diabetic friendly. Just skip the sugar and replace it with dates and you can enjoy it guilt free. 

              Serve, garnished with chopped pistachios, dry rose petals, saffron and dates. Check out a quick step by step pictorial recipe to prepare this healthy dessert. 

• 2 cups Makhana / Fox Nuts
• 1 cup chopped dates
• 500 ml. full fat milk
• 1 tsp. rose water
• 1 tsp. ghee
• 2 bay leaves
• 1/4 cup evaporated milk
• a pinch of salt
• 1/4 cup almonds, chopped
• 1 tbsp. dry rose petals
• 1/4 tsp. cardamom powder
• pinch of saffron

          Blend the dates along with some water into a smooth paste. Add the rose water. Mix well and keep aside. 

          Heat ghee in a pan and sauté the makhana till it is slightly brown in colour. keep aside. 

          When it is cool, blend a handful of makhana, almonds and dry rose petals into a fine powder. Set aside.

          In a saucepan, bring the milk, a pinch of salt and bay leaves to a boil. 

          Now add the sautéed makhana and simmer on a low to medium flame till they turn almost soft. 

          Then add the ground makhana-almond powder, saffron, cardamom powder,  evaporated milk and the dates paste.

          Mix everything well and simmer further till you get the right consistency.

          Garnish with chopped pistachios, dates, saffron and dry rose petals. Serve this amazing dessert warm or chilled. 

Notes - 

        1.  If the dates are not soft and juicy enough, then soak them in warm water for a couple of minutes. Then go ahead and blend them. 

        2.  For the sugar-free version you can substitute dates with jaggery too. 

         3.   I added some powdered makhane and almonds to thicken the consistency. However, you can also thicken it with just some powdered dry fruits or just skip this step completely.

        4.   The kheer will thicken more on cooling, so keep the consistency according to your preference. 

                Blend the dates along with some water into a smooth paste. Add the 

                     rose water. Mix well and keep aside. 

                    Heat ghee & sauté the makhana till light brown. keep aside. 

                    When cool, blend a handful of makhana, almonds & dry rose petals 

                    into a fine powder. Set aside.

                         In a saucepan, bring the milk, a pinch of salt & bay leaves to a boil. 

                   Add the sautéed makhana & simmer for 4-5 minutes or till they 

                             turn almost soft. 

                       Add the ground makhana-almond powder, saffron, cardamom powder,

                                  evaporated milk and....

                            dates paste. Mix well & simmer till you get the right consistency.

  

                         Garnish with chopped pistachios, dates, saffron & dry rose petals. 

                     Serve this amazing dessert warm or chilled.