Lauki Ki Kheer (Bottle Gourd Pudding / Payasam)

 

            Kheer / Payasam needs no intro. It is a very popular dessert during Indian festivals or any auspicious occasions. As Bottle Gourd has a cooling effect, this pudding is an absolutely healthy dessert. So do try this exotic Lauki Ki kheer and enjoy with your loved ones. It simply tastes yummy with its rich and creamy texture. It is a great festive and a party dessert, perfect for special occasions. This Lauki kheer can also be had on fasting days.  

        

          This recipe calls for very few ingredients and is prepared just like any other homemade kheer, except for the fact that the grated bottle gourd needs to be squeezed well before sautéing in ghee. 

          Garnish with chopped pistachios, almonds, dry rose petals and few saffron strands and serve it hot, warm or chilled. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare this yummy dessert. 

• 1 cup grated tender bottle gourd
• 2 tbsp. ghee
• 1/4 cup khoya
• 1/4 cup milk powder
• 1/4 tsp. cardamom powder
• 1 & 1/2 cups full fat milk
• 1 tbsp. slivered almonds
• 1 tbsp. slivered pistachios
• 2 tbsp. raisins
• 1/4 cup jaggery powder
• pinch of saffron
• 1 tsp. kewra water
• 1 tsp. chopped nuts, saffron strands & few dry rose petals to garnish

          Squeeze out the water from the grated bottle gourd and keep aside. 

          Heat ghee in a pan and sauté the bottle gourd for 4-5 minutes or till the ghee separates from the sides of the pan. 

          Now add the khoya, milk powder and cardamom powder. Mix everything well so that there are no lumps. 

          Add the milk, slivered pistachios, almonds and raisins. Simmer on a low flame till it turns slightly thick.

          Add the jaggery and saffron. Continue to simmer by stirring at intervals till the kheer comes to a desired consistency. 

          Switch off the flame and add the kewra water. Set aside to bring it to room temperature. 

          Refrigerate for 1-2 hours if you want to have it chilled. However, it can also be served hot or at room temperature.

          Serve, garnished with chopped nuts, saffron strands & few dry rose petals.

                      Heat ghee in a pan.

Sauté the bottle gourd for 4-5 minutes or till the ghee separates from the sides of the pan. 

Add the khoya, milk powder & cardamom powder. Mix everything well so that there are no lumps. 

Add the milk, slivered pistachios, almonds & raisins. Simmer on a low flame till it turns slightly thick.

Add the jaggery & saffron. Continue to simmer by stirring at intervals till the kheer comes to a desired consistency. 

                   Switch off the flame & add the kewra water. 

Garnish with chopped nuts, saffron strands & few dry rose petals. Enjoy it hot, at room temperature or chilled.

Makhana Phirni (Fox Nut / Lotus Seeds Pudding / Kheer / Payasam)

 

               Phirni is a traditional rice pudding has its origins in the Northern regions of India. Very common and a popular Indian dessert, it is abundantly found in many sweet shops and prepared in many households. It is a must in all festivals, ceremonies, fasting days or any auspicious occasions. Typically, it is prepared with ground rice in a milk based creamy dessert. 

              

               So let me share a yummy version of phirni prepared with makhana / fox nuts. I sweetened it with jaggery to give a healthy touch and flavored it with saffron. Alternately, you may add brown sugar or date syrup instead. 

               It takes very little time to dish out and turns out just amazing with just a few ingredients. Serve it chilled in small earthen bowls for an authentic touch. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare this creamy delight.

• 500 ml. full fat milk
• pinch of salt
• 1 cup makhana, dry roasted & powdered
• 1/2 tsp. cardamom powder
• 1/2 cup jaggery powder or to taste
• 1 tbsp. ghee
• 1 pinch of saffron soaked in 2 tbsp. rose water
• 1-2 tbsp. slivered almonds and pistachios
• few dry rose petals
• few mint sprigs

                 Bring the milk to a boil along with a pinch of salt. Add the powdered makhana and cardamom powder. Simmer on a low flame by stirring continuously till it turns slightly thick.  

                 Add the jaggery powder, ghee and saffron water (reserve some to garnish). Mix well and simmer further for 4-5 minutes or till you get the desired consistency. 

                 Switch off the flame and bring it to room temperature. Refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours. 

                 Serve chilled, garnished with slivered almonds and pistachios, saffron water, dry rose petals and a sprig of mint leaf.

 

                    Bring the milk to a boil along with a pinch of salt. 

Add the powdered makhana & cardamom powder. Simmer on a low flame by stirring continuously till it turns slightly thick.  

  

                     Add the jaggery powder, ghee 

                      and saffron water (reserve some to garnish). 

Mix well & simmer further for 4-5 minutes or till you get the desired consistency.

Serve chilled, garnished with slivered almonds, pistachios, saffron water, dry rose petals and a sprig of mint leaf.

Horse Gram Pudding / Kollu Payasam / Kulthi Kheer

                   Check out this yummy and a healthy dessert recipe prepared with Horse Gram lentil. It is a great festive dessert and a party recipe too, apt for special occasions. Adjust the ghee and sweetness according to your preference. 

                   In this recipe, I have added jaggery powder. However, you may use brown sugar if preferred. Enjoy this amazing Pudding / Payasam at room temperature or chilled. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare this yummy guilt free dessert.  

            Horse Gram Lentil (Kulthi / Kollu / Ulavalu) is not too familiar and the name itself may not sound appealing to the ears. But this humble lentil contains an amazing number of nutritional benefits. 

             It is a rich source of protein, calcium, iron, fibre and is also low in fat, relieves constipation, is diabetic and heart friendly too. One can prepare a number of dishes with Horse gram, like idli, dosa, dal fry, uttapam, biryani, rasam to name a few. It can also be sprouted and made into salads and soups.

• 1/4 cup Horse gram, dry roasted and washed well 
• 500 ml. milk
• 1/3 cup jaggery powder
• 1/2 tsp. cardamom powder
• pinch of saffron
• 2 tbsp. chopped pistachios
• 2 tbsp. chopped almonds
• 1 tsp. ghee
• 1 tsp. chopped nuts & few saffron strands to garnish

         Soak the Horse gram in sufficient water overnight. Rinse well and drain. Pressure cook in 1 cup water for 1 whistle on high flame and 8-10 minutes on a low flame. 

         Mash well with a potato masher or with the back of a ladle. You can also pulse it for a few seconds in a mixer jar. 

         In a saucepan, bring the milk to a boil. Add the mashed Horse gram, jaggery powder, cardamom powder and saffron. 

         Simmer on a low flame for 10-15 minutes by stirring at intervals. Now add the chopped nuts and ghee. 

         Continue to simmer till it turns thick or to a desired consistency. Garnish with the chopped nuts and saffron strands and serve at room temperature or chilled. 

Soak the Horse gram in sufficient water overnight. Rinse well & drain. 

Pressure cook in 1 cup water for 1 whistle on high flame and then 8-10 minutes on a low flame. 

Mash well with a potato masher or with the back of a ladle. You can also pulse it for a few seconds in a mixer jar. 

In a saucepan, bring the milk to a boil. Add the mashed Horse gram, jaggery powder, cardamom powder & saffron. Simmer on a low flame for 10-15 minutes by stirring at intervals.

                  Now add the chopped nuts .....

and ghee. Continue to simmer till it turns thick or to a desired consistency.

                 Garnish with the chopped nuts & saffron strands.

            Serve at room temperature or chilled. 

Horse Gram & Basil Seeds Burfi

 

           Burfi is one of the most common and popular Indian sweets. It is mandatory in all Indian festivals, ceremonies or any auspicious occasions. So want to surprise your loved ones with a really unique Burfi recipe?

         So here is an easy Burfi recipe prepared with Horse Gram Lentil. They come out real yummy and takes very little time to dish out. The recipe is very simple with very few ingredients, but the end product is just amazing. 

        

            Adjust the ghee and sweetness according to your preference. I have added jaggery powder. However, you may use brown sugar if preferred. Enjoy these amazing Burfis at room temperature or chilled. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare this yummy guilt free dessert.  

            Horse Gram Lentil (Kulthi / Kollu / Ulavalu) is not too familiar and the name itself may not sound appealing to the ears. But this humble lentil contains an amazing number of nutritional benefits. 

             It is a rich source of protein, calcium, iron, fibre and is also low in fat, relieves constipation, is diabetic and heart friendly too. It can also be sprouted and made into salads and soups.

• 1/2 cup Horse Gram, washed well & rinsed
• 3 tbsp. ghee
• 1/3 cup jaggery powder
• 1/4 cup milk powder
• 1/4 tsp. cardamom powder
• 1/4 cup soaked basil (sabja) seeds 
• 1 tsp. rose water
• 3-4 tbsp. chopped almonds & pistachios
• few dry rose petals

          Soak the Horse Gram overnight or for a minimum of 6 hours. Then blend it into a smooth paste in the mixer jar. 

          Heat 2 tbsp. ghee in a pan and add the ground Horse gram and mix well. Cook for 2-3 minutes on a low flame.

         Then add the milk powder, cardamom powder, basil seeds, jaggery powder and half of the chopped nuts.

          Mix everything well and continue to cook by stirring continuously till the mix starts to thicken. 

          Now add remaining ghee and rose water. Give it a mix and cook further for 1-2 minutes till it leaves the sides of the pan.

          When done, transfer to a greased plate and garnish with the remaining nuts and dry rose petals. Bring it to room temperature before refrigerating for an hour. 

         Cut as desired and serve this healthy and amazing burfi, either at room temperature or chilled to your loved ones this Diwali festival.

              Soak the Horse Gram overnight or for a minimum of 6 hours. 

                     Then blend it into a smooth paste in the mixer jar. 

                    Heat 2 tbsp. ghee in a pan.

Add the ground Horse gram & mix well. Cook for 2-3 minutes on a low flame. 

Then add the milk powder, cardamom powder, soaked basil seeds jaggery powder & half of the chopped nuts. Mix everything well & continue to cook by stirring continuously till the mix starts to thicken.

                       Now add the remaining ghee & rose water. 

      Give it a mix & cook for 1-2 minutes till it leaves the side of the pan. 

                     When done, transfer to a greased plate.

Garnish with the remaining nuts && dry rose petals. Bring it to room temperature before refrigerating for an hour. Cut as desired.

Serve this healthy & amazing burfi, either at room temperature or chilled to your loved ones this Diwali festival.