Monday, December 5, 2011

Parangikkai badam kheer


Did I not tell you that my sister comes up with some fun ideas when it comes to food? She tries to add variety to everyday cooking and most times those dishes are simple to make and a small change here, an addition there makes it taste very different.
Just before Navrathri, a friend of mine left with me one whole small pumpkin before she left on a holiday. I knew that my husband is not very fond of the vegetable. Hence I saved it for an occasion to have guests, so I can finish the vegetable in one go. I planned to make a kootu; however, I was discussing my menu for a weekend lunch party with my sister and she thought I was making a long list that is going to fill my refrigerator with left overs. Both of us cut the list short enough to make the menu appear elaborate at the same time we could minimize work in the kitchen as well as left overs. That is when she suggested I make this kheer.
I was game for experiment though I warned my husband that I am trying this and he is free not to partake if he felt so.
I was in for a pleasant surprise for not just my guests, but my husband too liked it quite a lot. I had added enough almonds fearing that the taste of the vegetable will be overpowering. Surprisingly it did not; in fact, both had blended well and only upon my suggestion that people realized that it was not just badam kheer but had a vegetable base to the same.



Ingredients;
1 cup cubed pumpkin
1/4 cup ground almond powder
1/2 cup sugar
1 litre whole milk, boiled and cooled to room temperature

For garnish:
Few strands of saffron
Chopped cashews dry roasted
Chopped pistachios
Cardamom powder

Method:
Place pumpkin cubes in a bowl, add 100 millilitres milk and pressure cook until the pumpkin is well cooked.
Allow the pumpkin to cool.
Add some warm water or milk to the ground almonds.
Take both the cooked pumpkin and the soaked almond powder in the jar of the blender and puree to a very smooth liquid adding sufficient milk.
Transfer to a heavy bottom cooking utensil and top up with the rest of the milk.
Place on a very low heat and stirring continuously, allow to cook until the raw taste subsides.
Coating the rim of the utensil with a thin coat of ghee will prevent the boiling milk from spilling over. (a new tip I learnt from a guest who watched me boiling milk for coffee)
Add the sugar and cook until the sugar blends well and the kheer thickens a bit.
Allow to cool, refrigerate and serve chilled topped with the garnish of nuts, saffron and cardamom powder. You may also add almond essence if necessary.
If the kheer is very thick and a drinking consistency is desired, add sufficient milk.


There will be no unwanted hint or taste of raw vegetable and even without essence it will taste good.
I have made it the second time without almonds too. Then I left the puree a bit coarse too. It tasted good.
This is best enjoyed chilled.

24 comments:

  1. That should be really yummy, I am sure parangikai and badam is perfect for making kheer! Loved the recipe :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. never made kheer out of this...sounds interesting n yummm

    ReplyDelete
  3. Excellent and beautiful looking kheer,simply inviting.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I am not a huge fan of pumpkin..but your presentation looks super stunning

    ReplyDelete
  5. That's a great combination of pumpkin and almonds. Even while reading I thought that pumpkin might give a strong flavour to the kheer, but now that you say it does not I'll try it out.


    FOODELICIOUS

    EVENT FOR DECEMBER & GIVEAWAY, ‘ONLY’- COOKIES & CAKES

    ReplyDelete
  6. Lip-smacking!!!! i have made pumpkin kheer separately!! this looks interesting!!! Bookmarked!!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Good combination. We usually use the pumpkin for Koottu, Erisseri, Olan or Moru Curry. Will try this.

    ReplyDelete
  8. really yummmee! I just love the presentation! If possible, do go through the rules of Jingle All The Way and link your post there.. :)

    -
    Kavi (Edible Entertainment)
    Ongoing events:
    Jingle All The Way &
    Microwave Easy Cooking

    ReplyDelete
  9. interesting combo..
    kheer looks yummy :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Very inviting lataji... Pics looks great and an interesting recipe too!

    ReplyDelete
  11. IRON CHEF level recipe Lata... Love it!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Yummy yum... Lovely idea to add a vegetable to a sweet drink..:)
    Reva

    ReplyDelete
  13. Wow what a nice variation....yummy kheer

    ReplyDelete
  14. Looks yumm and absolutely drool worthy.. wish I am you neighbor :(

    ReplyDelete
  15. wow beautiful looking kheer....luv it!

    I am hosting a event series on Spices starting this month let me knw if you would like to guest host in future months....


    SYF&HWS - Cook With SPICES" Series - CARDAMOM (Dec 5th to Jan 5th)
    LGSS -"Tomato" - Nov 5th to Dec 5th
    100 Friends/Followers & GIVEAWAY

    ReplyDelete
  16. I have heard of parangikai sambar,vatral kuzhambu which I make often and also halwa.This is simply amazing and truly a wonderful treat worth trying.
    indu srinivasan.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Nice one there Lata. I am wondering that I would probably never eat it if i knew it had parangikkai...Are you leaving to the us today?

    Shobha

    ReplyDelete
  18. That looks great akka and perfect for the fall season too. So, this is the orange pumpkin illaya? can't wait to try since i make very few recipes with this pumpkin.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Pumpkin and badam kheer looks delicious Lathaji.

    ReplyDelete
  20. This is such an interesting combination! You really kindle my innovative spirit :) Thanks to your sis too!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Really...you can make something this beautiful with parangikkai????

    btw - what's in the green gift box..I can't bear to see just packed gifts without opening them immediately! LOL!

    ReplyDelete

Hello,
Welcome and thank you for taking time to drop by.
I appreciate your valuable comments and tips.
I sincerely hope to improve with them.
Hope we shall interact often.
Thanks once again,
Lata Raja.