Phirni (Indian Rice Pudding)

Its my Fathers Birthday today so wishing him a very happy and healthy long life. He is not much of a cake person and as far back as my memory goes he would request my mom to make the traditional Indian Kheer to celebrate his day. Kheer is another version of Rice Pudding just like Phirni. And so here I am celebrating the young man from 10,000 miles away with his favorite birthday dessert.

Most of us who know Indian cuisine have heard about Kheer. This is an Indian dessert pudding that is made using milk and rice. It is a very popular dessert and is available in most Indian restaurants. It is an important part of a lot of Indian festivals and occasions. Phirni is a version of this pudding, but it is made with coarsely ground rice.

RECIPE: Phirni (Indian Rice Pudding)

Ingredients

1 Cup rice
8 Cups whole milk or 2%milk
1/2 Cup milk, to coarsely blend rice
1 Cup sugar

1 TBSP rose water (optional)
1 tsp cardamom powder
1/2 tsp saffron threads
1/4 Cup golden raisins

Garnish:
slivered almonds
slivered pistachios
rose petals

Method

1. Soak a cup of rice in plenty of water for a few hours.
2. Drain all the water and coarsely blend rice with 1/2 cup milk in a blender.
3. Heat 8 Cups of milk in a large, heavy bottomed pan and bring to a boil. Add cardamom powder, saffron threads and rose water.
4. Once it boils reduce heat to medium and pour in the rice/milk blend mix slowly in a single stream while continuously stirring it. This is a very important step so as to get a smooth creamy consistency and to avoid getting a lumpy pudding.
5. Keep stirring the mixture till it starts to thicken. Add the golden raisins and keep stirring till it is thick enough to coat your spoon or ladle.
6. Add sugar and mix it well.
7. Turn off the heat and let it cool for a few minutes. pour into a serving bowl and let it come down to room temperature. Garnish with slivered almonds, pistachios and rose petals. Chill in the refrigerator till its time to serve.

Hope you enjoy making it!