Rice Kheer / Chawal Ki Kheer - Sharad Poornima / Kojagiri Poornima Special Recipe

 Sharad Poornima or Kojagiri Poornima is an Indian harvest festival  celebrated on the full moon day of the Hindu lunar month of Ashvin ( September- October). On this day , goddess Lakshmi is worshiped and night vigil is observed. Source: Wikipedia

A typical Maharashtrian family celebrates Kojagiri Poornima by remaining awake through out the night by having a small gathering of family and friends and i am no exception to this custom. We generally prepare a large batch of either Masala Doodh (nut and spice flavored condensed milk) or rice kheer and keep it over night in large container directly under the moonlight so that the milk or pudding is bathed in the pious "Sharad Pournima" moonlight known as Amrit barkha ( rain of nectar). This blessed milk is then consumed as a prasad the next morning. This custom is followed , as it is believed that on this day as moon and earth are very close to each other , the moon rays have certain healing properties of nourishing the body and the soul. So people sit under the moon light to absorb this moon light  and purify their body and soul and get rid of negativity. 

I have already shared the recipe of Masala Doodh in my earlier post.( Just click on the high-lighted words for the link to the recipe ). Sharad Poornima , being just around the corner , today i am sharing a simple yet delicious Chawal ki kheer recipe . Chawal ki kheer is a traditional Indian dessert. A creamy rich sweet preparation where in rice is cooked and simmered in milk. 

                           

Chawal ki kheer is one of the commonest and popular among the kheer recipes through out India.. With an easy preparation, it goes well for any festive celebration. Chilled chawal ki kheer serves great option as an after dinner sweet dish.

  The recipe calls for cooking the raw basmati rice in full cream milk on a low flame. The cooked rice and milk is then sweetened and nuts are added to it. The kheer is further flavored with spices like Cardamom , Nutmeg and Saffron.

Ingredients:

• 4 tbsp raw Basmati Rice
• 1 liter full cream Milk
• 5-7 tbsp of sugar or as per taste
• 2 tbsp of sliced Almonds and Pistachios
• 1-2 tbsp of Raisins
• 1 tbsp of Chironji / Charoli
• 5-7 Cashew nuts
• Few strands of Saffron
• 1 tbsp Ghee / clarified butter
• 1/4 tsp Cardamon Nutmeg powder

Method:

1. Rinse rice thoroughly in water till the water runs clear of the starch. Soak it in enough water for about 20 minutes. After soaking time, drain and keep aside.

  2. In a heavy bottom pan or non stick wok, heat ghee and add cashew nuts to it. Shallow fry the cashews on low flame until golden in color. 

  3. Add the drained rice and stir fry for 1 minute or so. Heat milk in a separate container. Allow it to boil on medium flame.

  4. Take 2 tbsp of this warm milk and soak Saffron strands in it.

 5. Add the hot milk to the rice in the wok. Stir well.

  6. Simmer it for about 20 minutes or until the rice is cooked well and the milk also reduced. Keep stirring in between , so that the rice does not catch the bottom of the wok.

  7. Add sugar at this stage. Stir well and cook the kheer for about 4-5 minutes more.

  8. Add Saffron milk , followed by the sliced nuts , Chironji and raisins. Stir well.

  9. In the end, flavor the kheer with Cardamom and nutmeg powder. Give a quick stir and put off the flame. 

  10. Serve hot or chilled and enjoy the delicious chawal ki kheer with your loved ones.

 Wishing a very happy Kojagiri Poornima to all those who celebrate !! May Goddess Lakshmi bless you with good health , fortune and Prosperity !!!

For more similar recipes, do check my posts on

• Gulab Ki Kheer
• Lauki Ki Kheer
• Daliya ki Kheer
• Keasar Phirni
• Sheer Khurma
• Suji Ki Kheer