Who doesn't love a bowl of kheer? One of the most popular Indian desserts, kheer comes loaded with sweetness and enriched with the goodness of milk and nuts. No wonder it's a part of every festival/special occasion menu! It has different names in different parts of India and is cooked in different varieties as well. Be it the Payasam from South, Payesh in Bengal or Payok in Assam, kheer (as it is called in North) has a fan following all across the country and even abroad.
A simple combination of milk, rice, nuts and sugar, kheer can be the star of a party or a comforting end to a meal. And to top it all, it doesn't take too long to prepare at home. Kheer has another variation too, Makuti in Bihar. A traditional dessert from Bihar, Makuti is prepared just like kheer with an addition of moong ki dal. It is a staple in weddings in Bihar and would be hard to find anywhere outside the Indian state. But guess what? One can make it at home too!
(Also Read: 5 Interesting Kheer Recipes You Can Try Ay Home)
Here is a Makuti recipe, made with khajur or dates that you can try at home. In this quick and easy recipe, saffron, cardamom powder, sugar, moong dal and rice paste are cooked together in milk to form a creamy texture. It is then combined with a date paste, khoya and chopped nuts and dry fruits including almonds and raisins.
You can serve this hot or cool, garnished with chopped khajur. It is not just a perfect post-meal dessert but can also be a delightful addition to your Eid celebrations at home. Dates play an important role during the month of Ramadan when Muslims around the world observe ritualistic fasts (or roza), where they do not consume even a drop of water. Many people break their fast with a few dates and water since dates are a rich source of natural sugars (glucose and fructose), which makes for an instant energy booster.
Find the full recipe of Khajur Makuti (Khajur Ki Kheer) here. Try at home and let us know your experience in the comments section below.
About Aanchal MathurAanchal doesn't share food. A cake in her vicinity is sure to disappear in a record time of 10 seconds. Besides loading up on sugar, she loves bingeing on FRIENDS with a plate of momos. Most likely to find her soulmate on a food app.