Poha Kheer with Dates (Flattened Rice Pudding)

 

          Check out this yummy dessert prepared with flattened rice / poha. It turns out just amazing with just a few ingredients easily available in your kitchen. This dessert is apt for festive occasions. However, in this recipe I gave a slight twist by substituting sugar or jaggery with dates puree for the sweetness. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare this healthy dessert. 

• 1 cup brown / white poha / flattened rice
• 12-15 dates, deseeded & soaked for an hour
• 1 tbsp. ghee
• 2 bay leaves
• 500 ml. full fat milk
• 1/4 tsp. cardamom powder
• 1 tsp. rose water
• pinch of saffron
• handful of mixed nuts, chopped

           Wash the poha 2-3 times. Then keep it aside to drain well.

           Puree the dates with 1/4 cup water into a smooth paste. Keep aside. 

           Heat ghee in a saucepan and sauté the mixed nuts till light golden in colour. (Keep aside few to garnish).

           Now add the drained poha. Fry for 1-2 minutes, but do not brown them. 

           Add the milk and the bay leaves and bring it to a boil. Simmer on a medium flame for 4-5 minutes.

           Add the dates puree and cardamom powder. Mix well and continue to simmer till the consistency comes to a desirable thickness. 

           Switch off the flame and discard the bay leaves. Add the saffron and rose water. 

           You can serve it warm or chilled. Garnish with mixed nuts and enjoy.

Notes - 

1.  Keep the consistency slightly thin as it will thicken once it cools down.

2.  You can substitute dates puree for brown sugar or jaggery as per your choice. 

3.  I have used brown poha. However, feel free to use the white variety too. 

                   Heat ghee in a saucepan & sauté the mixed nuts till light golden 

                   in colour. (Keep aside few to garnish).

                       Add the poha. Fry for 1-2 minutes, but do not brown them. 

                    Add the milk & the bay leaves and bring it to a boil. Simmer 

                    on a medium flame for 4-5 minutes.

                              Add the dates puree..... 

                     and cardamom powder. Mix well & continue to simmer till 

                     the consistency comes to a desirable thickness. 

                      Switch off the flame & discard the bay leaves. Add the saffron

                      and rose water. 

                 You can serve it warm or chilled. Garnish with mixed nuts & enjoy.