Shahi Kheer (Makhana Pudding)
Shahi Kheer, also called Makahana Pudding is a very traditional pudding-like dessert. Makhana is puffed lotus flower seed and looks like popcorn. Shahi means rich and royal and this dish is a royal sweet snack. The textures of the nuts, and the creaminess of the milk makes this a super dessert. Adding the caramelize sugar with saffron and cardamom adds a very subtle and unique taste to the kheer.
Ingredients
- 4 cups whole milk
- 1 1/2 cups makhana puffed lotus seeds
- 1/2 cup rice cooked and mashed
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 Tbsp almonds blanched and sliced, approx. 2 Tbsp
- 2 Tbsp pistachios blanched and sliced, approx. 2 Tbsp
- 1/4 Tsp cardamom crushed
- saffron Few strands
- 2 teaspoons ghee clarified butter
Instructions
- Microwave the makhana for 1/2-minute. Makhana will become crisp. After microwave slice them in 2-3 pieces.
- In a heavy bottom pan over low medium heat melt the ghee, add the makhana and sliced almonds and roast them for about 2 minute.
- Add the milk, and rice, turn the heat to medium high, bring the milk to boil. After milk comes to boil lower the heat to medium. let it boil for about 18-20 minutes, stir the milk and scrape the sides occasionally.
- Add cardamom. Saffron and half the pistachios other half we will use for garnishing.
- To caramelize the sugar, in a heavy bottom sauce pan, over medium heat grease the pan generously, add sugar. Keep stirring the sugar continuously till sugar start melting and change the color to light brown. Turn off the heat as soon it comes to golden brown in color. This should take 4-6 minutes. Note: when sugar starts melting it changes the color very quickly and it can easily burn.
- Add the caramelize sugar to the hot kheer and put the kheer back over the low medium heat, keep stirring the kheer making sure caramelized sugar has mixed completely. Caramelizing the sugar adds a unique taste to Kheer.
- Add the caramelize sugar to the hot kheer and put the kheer back over the low medium heat, keep stirring the kheer making sure caramelized sugar has mixed completely. Caramelizing the sugar adds a unique taste to Kheer. Boil for 2-3 more minutes, Shahi Kheer should be consistency of soft pudding. Garnish with pistachios,
- Serve warm.
Notes
You will also like, Kheer (Rice Pudding), Pineapple Coconut Kheer - Pina Colada Pudding, Laucki Kheer (Bottle Gourd Pudding)
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
shilpa
June 18, 2020 at 9:58 pmI made it today and it is great…I am taking it to a dinner party at friend’s place?
I have made Kheer many a times with so many different things but this caramelised sugar idea is really good. thanks a lot.By the way I always like your recipes…have tried Jalebi too which was a party hit for my Indian friends.Thanks once again.?
Manjula Jain
June 19, 2020 at 11:58 pmThank you Shilpa
Rani jacob
June 14, 2018 at 1:48 amManjula ji in how much temp should I microwave the lotus seed
Anamika
November 3, 2017 at 2:53 pmHi,
If I precook it like a couple of days in advance, can I warm it up before serving?
Manjula Jain
November 6, 2017 at 10:17 pmAnamika yes that will work
Malathi
February 24, 2017 at 6:02 amManjulaji,
What a great idea of adding caramalized sugar. The kheer looks awesome. Thanks for sharing your wonderful recipes.
Manjula Jain
February 26, 2017 at 8:28 amMalathi, caramelize sugar adds a little different flavor