Rice Kheer/ Ari Payasam

 

Rice Kheer is a wonderful dessert from North India. It is basically a rice pudding, and there is also a version from Kerala that is called 'Ari Payasam'. I am not usually a fan of rice, but I would never say no to this dessert, any time. It is a very simple recipe that can not go wrong!

Ingredients:

1 cup basmati rice
1 1/2 liter milk
1 tin condensed milk
3/4 cup sugar (can increase)
2 pinches cardamom powder
1 pinch saffron
8-10 almonds, soaked overnight and sliced lengthwise

Method:

Heat the milk in a large non-stick pot. 

Take about a quarter cup of the milk in a cup, add the saffron and allow it to sit for about 5-10 minutes.

Bring the milk to a boil, lower the flame and allow to simmer.

Wash the rice and add to the milk.

Cook over a medium flame till the rice is soft (Watch out that the milk doesn't boil over).

Turn off the flame and add the cardamom powder, almonds, saffron milk (along with the strands), and condensed milk, and mix.

Allow to cool.

Serve warm or cold. I personally like it cold.