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Rice Kheer (Indian Rice Pudding)

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Rich and creamy Rice Kheer or Indian Rice Pudding is one of the quintessential Indian desserts which requires just 3 main ingredients and made with pantry staple ingredients.

Rice kheer presented in 2 designer brown bowls, garnished with almonds, pistachio, saffron and edible rose petals


What is Kheer

Kheer is nothing but a rich rice pudding cooked in milk. A very common dessert from the Indian subcontinent and known by different names as Kheer, Payasam, Phirni, etc. Rice kheer is also served as the first meal for babies in many Indian cultures. 


Ingredients in Kheer

It is made using three basic ingredients Rice, Milk, and Sugar. The rice can however be substitute with Makhana(Foxnuts), sabudana, Vermicelli, millet, etc. My mom makes delicious makhana kheer and hopefully, I will share the recipe one day.


Optional Ingredients in Kheer

It is typically flavoured with cardamom. Nuts like almonds or raisins are added for the crunch as well as for garnish. To give it more luxurious and aromatic flavour saffron, kewra water can be added too. A simple garnish of rose petals alleviates the simple kheer to a new level.

Close up look of Indian Rice pudding presented in designer brown bowl, garnished with almonds, pistachio, saffron and edible rose petals


Sweetener in Kheer

I use demerara sugar to sweeten it. One can use normal white sugar or granulated sugar too. Rice Kheer with Jaggery is also made many a time. One needs to be careful while adding jaggery. The milk has to cool down a bit before you add jaggery or else you will curdle the milk.


Recipe process of Rice Kheer

My version of this Rice kheer is simple. I do not add any ghee in the kheer. The rice is first soaked for some time, while the milk comes to a boil. Then the rice is cooked along with the milk until done. Sugar is added, and finally, I add cardamom, saffron, and almonds. Sometimes I garnish it with Rose Petals.


Rice Used & Quantity of Rice

I use long grain, basmati rice which is generally there in my pantry. Tukda basmati will go well with this. I likely mash the rice once it is cooked in the kheer. We like a thick and creamy kheer and hence I add more rice. One can reduce the rice quantity by half if you need it more on the liquid side.


Serving Suggestions

I like my kheer at normal temperature or cold. Many eat it hot or warm straight from the pan. It is your individual preference. The kheer is served as a dessert or you can enjoy this with some masala puri.

Indian Rice Pudding presented in 2 designer brown bowls, garnished with almonds, pistachio, saffron and edible rose petals


Tips to make the perfect Rich and Creamy Rice Kheer

  • Use full-fat milk to get the rich and creamy texture.
  • Use a clean and heavy bottom pan while making kheer.
  • A quick rinse with water and a tablespoon of water at the bottom of the pan helps in the milk not sticking at the bottom.
  • In between stirring of milk is necessary, so that the milk does not stick to the bottom of the pan.
  • Vegans can use almond milk to make Kheer. I have not used but I assume it would be rich, creamy, and equally delicious.
  • Cooking on a slow to medium stove is essential, or else you might burn the bottom of the pan and burnt milk is no good.
  • We like a thick and creamy kheer and hence I add more rice. One can reduce the rice quantity by half if you need it more on the liquid side.



So here goes the recipe of Rice Kheer (Indian Rice Pudding)

Rich and creamy Rice Kheer or Indian Rice pudding is one of the quintessential Indian desserts made using Rice, Milk and Sugar.

Rice Kheer (Indian Rice Pudding)

Rich and creamy Rice Kheer or Indian Rice pudding is one of the quintessential Indian desserts made using Rice, Milk, and Sugar.
5 from 4 votes
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Author: Renu Agrawal-Dongre

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 Litre Milk Full Fat preferred, Vegans can use almond milk
  • 1/2 Cup – 100 grams – Rice Those who do not want thick can reduce rice quantity
  • ¾ Cup – 150 grams – Sugar
  • 1 teaspoon of Cardamom powder
  • ¼ Cup – 45 grams – Almonds Optional
  • Few Saffron Strands Optional
  • Kewra/Rose Water, Optional – I have not added
  • Edible Rose Petals & Chopped Pistachio for Garnish Optional

Instructions

Preparing Almonds

  • Soak the almonds in hot water. Soaking is required only to peel the skin. If you want to add the almonds as this step is optional.
    Almonds getting soaked
  • After soaking it for 1 hour, peel the almonds. Discard the skin.
  • Cut as desired and keep it aside.
    Soaked and chopped almonds

Preparing Kheer

  • Clean and rinse the rice nicely. Soak the rice for 10-15 minutes in normal room temperature tap water.
  • In a heavy bottom pan, add the milk.
  • Bring the milk to boil stirring in between.
    Milk getting Boiled
  • Add rice, once the milk is hot or has just started coming to a boil. (This would take 10-15 minutes on slow and in that time your rice would have been soaked)
    Adding Soaked Rice to the milk
  • Let the rice cook on slow to medium stirring in between.
  • Keep on stirring the milk and rice mixture so that the it does not stick to the bottom.
  • Stirring in between also helps to add the cream formed on the top to mix again in the milk.
  • Keep on scraping the sides of the pan for milk solids that gets stick to the sides. Do add that to the milk again.
  • The cooking of the rice will take around 40-45 minutes on slow, so be patient. Do not rush or else you will burn the milk.
  • Add the sugar and mix it again till all the sugar is dissolved.
    Adding Sugar to the milk
  • Let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes.
  • Now in a bowl add a pinch of saffron and add a tablespoon of kheer.
  • Give this a mix and add this to the kheer.
    Adding of Saffron and Cardamom powder
  • Switch off and now add the cardamom powder and almonds if using.
    Adding of Saffron and Cardamom powder
  • If using Kewra water add 1 teaspoon after the mixture cools down a bit.
    Almonds added to kheer
  • Garnish with saffron, pistachio, rose petals, or as required.
    Rice Kheer all ready

Notes

  • 1 Cup = 240 ml, 1 tbsp = 15 ml, 1 tsp = 5 ml
  • Use full-fat milk to get the rich and creamy texture.
  • Use a clean and heavy bottom pan while making kheer.
  • A quick rinse with water and a tablespoon of water at the bottom of the pan helps in the milk not sticking at the bottom.
  • In between stirring of milk is necessary, so that the milk does not stick to the bottom of the pan.
  • Vegans can use almond milk to make Kheer. I have not used but I assume it would be rich, creamy, and equally delicious.
  • Cooking on a slow to the medium stove is essential, or else you might burn the bottom of the pan and burnt milk is no good.
  • We like a thick and creamy kheer and hence I add more rice. One can reduce the rice quantity by half if you need it more on the liquid side.
  • Raisins can be added too.
 
Tried this recipe?Share your feedback @cookwithrenu_ad or tag #cookwithrenu_ad
Disclaimer: I am not a nutritionist. The nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. It varies depending upon the product types or brands.


Rich and creamy Rice Kheer or Indian Rice pudding is one of the quintessential Indian desserts made using Rice, Milk and Sugar.



Update

This post was originally created in March 2015. Today I have updated the content to add more information with respect to , and added new pics, and sharing with Foodies_RedoingOldPost.

Foodies_RedoingOldPost



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Recipe Rating




Kalyani

Saturday 21st of November 2020

no Indian festivity is complete without the quintessential Indian Kheer.. this truly looks fab, Renu !

Jayashree T.Rao

Friday 13th of November 2020

I often make rice kheer at home as it is liked by akk. Your bowl of kheer looks rich and delicious. Pure festive treat.

Jolly

Friday 13th of November 2020

Rice kheer is my absolute all time favorite rice pudding. Your style of making kheer is similar to mine but I didn’t not mashed it. This mashed kheer looks more rich, thick and exotic flavors. Absolutely delicious!

Mayuri Patel

Tuesday 10th of November 2020

Wow Renu, love the clicks. Makes the humble rice kheer look so exotic with a topping of nuts and a sprinkle of rose petals. As they say, you just need a good occasion or a good excuse to enjoy a bowl of rice kheer.

Poonam Bachhav

Tuesday 10th of November 2020

I also make rice kheer the way you have shown here. Your kheer looks so rich and creamy ! Perfect festive treat.