Sravana masam vrathams and Ramadaan Iftars have totally occupied this month. A month of festivities must say. With another round of Mangala gowri vratham and Raksha bandhan coming up, we decided to come up with a sweet recipe - One that serves both as a ‘Naivedyam’ to the Goddess and a welcome drink at Iftars. The icing, it takes less than 10 minutes to prepare this one.
Preparation time: less than 10 minutes Serves: 2 Ingredients: Milk 250 ml Fresh dates 2 Almonds 4-5 Cardamom 1 Method: Pour the milk into a vessel/pot and leave to boil. In the meantime, de-seed the dates and crush the cardamom. Blend to a fine paste the dates, cardamom and almonds (fresh and unpeeled). While the dates mash fine, the almonds turn into a coarse powder but blend in with the dates. Add this paste to the boiling milk and leave to boil until it thickens to kheer/pudding or milkshake consistency. Date and almond kheer has an earthy feel and is sure to taste yummy when served in matkas or clay bowls. If a Naivedyam, serve hot. If for the Iftar, leave to cool, garnish with fresh and roasted pistachios and serve. Fresh, nutritious, simple and filling dates and almond kheer is ideal for any and every menu. Most of the time, we hear that dates are good for diabetics. The fact is no sweet is good for diabetics. It is advisable not to serve this kheer to diabetics, even if it has just dates and no sugar. Happy Raksha bandhan to all the brothers and sisters and Ramadaan Kareem.