Kesari Kheer Recipe | Easy Saffaron Rice Pudding Microwave
Kesari Kheer Recipe is one of the creamy Indian rice pudding sweet recipes. We can prepare it both on the stove and microwave oven. We usually decorate it with dry fruits for a rich feel and look.
In India Kesari Kheer recipe is made with Kesari strands are considered as auspicious and is made of all major events and occasions. In many places, people offer this recipe as Naivedyam (food offered to God) on many festival occasions. One can find this recipe prepared even during marriages and special events.
In order to get enhance the aroma, we use saffron and cardamom powder. As saffron rice pudding is prepared during the festive season, we usually top with dried fruits to make it healthy. People call this recipe with different names based on geo-location. Ex: in South India, we call it as Payasam. Kesari kheer recipe is similar to phirni recipe but we use whole rice instead of rice powder.
Kesari Kheer Recipe | How to make Kesari Kheer Recipe in Microwave
Ingredients
- Kesar Strands saffaron – 6-8 no.
- Full cream milk – 1.5 liters
- Basmathi Rice – ¼ cup
- Sugar – 5 tbsp.
- Cardamom powder – ½ tbsp.
- Almonds – 10 no. soaked and sliced
- Cashew – 5-10 no.
- Raisins – 12 no.
Instructions
How to Make Kesari Kheer Recipe:
- Take hollow microwave safe bowl and pour milk into it.
- At medium temperature, boil milk for 5 minutes.
- Clean basmati rice and strain water from it.
- Add rice with milk and cook for 20 minutes on medium temperature.
Tip: If you have any plans to substitute Sugar with jaggery, then it can be added at this point. But adding jaggery may make this recipe look a bit dark.
Tip: Always remember to add sweetening ingredient at the end of the cooking process.
- Add kesar strands, sugar, cardamom powder, cashew and raisins.
- Mix together and cook on medium temperature for more 10 minutes.
Note: Based on the moisture level, one should break down the microwave timing and stir in between, else there may be burning at the bottom and lose the flavor of the recipe.
- Garnish Kesari Kheer recipe with almond slices and serve hot or cold.
Tips to make a perfect Kesari Kheer Recipe in Microwave:
Choosing the Perfect Bowl:
Use a microwave-safe bowl which is huge enough that the mixture won’t overflow while it bubbles up during cooking.
Roasting Semolina:
Semolina or rava should be roasted for 2-3 minutes before putting it in the dish. Spread it evenly on a microwave-safe plate and cook it on high, stirring every 30 seconds till it is light golden and fragrant. This will provide you with a really excellent flavor and not a raw kesari.
Warm Milk:
Warm milk before adding it to the semolina. This makes better mixing and less time taken in cooking.
Control the Cooking Time:
Start with short intervals of about 2 minutes and stir it in between to prevent overheating. The cooking may take 6-10 minutes depending on your wattage.
Stir frequently:
Stir every minute or two to make it cook evenly and to break lumps. This would prevent sticking to the side of the bowl as well
Add sugar at the right time to Kesari Kheer Recipe:
Add sugar once the semolina has been cooked and thickened. It will prevent the sugar from melting too early and also maintain a good texture.
Cardamom and Saffron:
Add a few strands of saffron soaked in warm milk crushed cardamom for its aromatic flavor. These may be added during the final few minutes of cooking.
Add Nuts and Raisins:
Add chopped nuts like cashews and almonds. Raisins may be added for texture and flavor. Microwave it for about a minute and then mix with the rest; its flavor would increase this way.
Consistency Modification:
In case the kesari kheer recipe is too thick, some warm milk will loosen it and set right. Kheer does set when cool.
Let it Rest:
Allow the kesari kheer sit in the microwave for a few minutes with the door shut after cooking, so you can allow the different flavors to mix well.
Serve Warm or Cold:
Keasri kheer recipe can be served warm or cold. In the case of chilled, let it cool for a few hours before serving.
