Let Festivities Begin!
Apple Kheer
As we begin this season of festivals, I wanted to try something new. I had been thinking about this dessert for a while. I call it a contemporary & healthier version of an old recipe.
The dessert Kheer is truly a dessert that reflects that migration pattern of humans from Persia to Asia. This dessert is known as Falooda in Persia, Sheer Khurma in Pakistan & Afghanistan, Kheer in Northern India & Payasam in South India. No matter what you call it, it's simply yummy!
My Mom had enjoyed this particular Kheer at my in-Law's home. You see, my father-in-law, who is a Surgeon by profession, loves cooking. When he is not teaching or watching TV, he is in the kitchen cooking up some new recipes. He would always have one secret, unexpected ingredient & would quiz you until you admit how wonderful it tastes & you have no idea what it is! It's wonderfully annoying, if there is such a thing. You are relishing the dish, you know it has something familiar but you just can't figure it out!
Well, I won't quiz you & just share the recipe:
Ingredients:
1/2 gallon 1% milk
4 red delicious apples- grated with skin.
7 oz. Condensed milk.
Dry Ingredients:
1/4cup shredded fresh coconut
1/4cup chopped dates
1/4cup Taalmakhana (optional), available in Indian grocery stores.
1/4cup chopped almonds/ pistachio
Few threads of Saffron
A pinch of Cardamom.
Method:
Bring milk to a rolling boil in a nonstick heavy bottom pan. Add all the dry ingredients. Let it boil on medium heat for 10 minutes. Keep stirring to avoid sticking at the bottom. Add condensed milk & mix it well. Once mixed, take it off of stove, transfer in the serving container & keep it to cool. Once it cools down, put it in refrigerator. While the milk is cooling, grate apples with the skin, squeeze the juice out & immediately sauté it in a nonstick pan on low-medium heat. It should soften in few minutes. Once softened, transfer it another bowl to cool & put it in refrigerator as well.
About half hour before serving, mix sautéed apple to milk. Garnish with pistachio before you serve. Voila, Apple Kheer is ready to be served!! This dessert tastes best when served chilled & can be paired with French Vanilla Ice cream for an even richer experience.
Bring milk to a rolling boil in a nonstick heavy bottom pan. Add all the dry ingredients. Let it boil on medium heat for 10 minutes. Keep stirring to avoid sticking at the bottom. Add condensed milk & mix it well. Once mixed, take it off of stove, transfer in the serving container & keep it to cool. Once it cools down, put it in refrigerator. While the milk is cooling, grate apples with the skin, squeeze the juice out & immediately sauté it in a nonstick pan on low-medium heat. It should soften in few minutes. Once softened, transfer it another bowl to cool & put it in refrigerator as well.
About half hour before serving, mix sautéed apple to milk. Garnish with pistachio before you serve. Voila, Apple Kheer is ready to be served!! This dessert tastes best when served chilled & can be paired with French Vanilla Ice cream for an even richer experience.
