South Indian Traditional Dessert: Coconut Kheer

Written by Bhavani Swaminathan @aakanksha_dfw

Coconut is consumed a lot in the South India (Kerala). It is a part of every day diet. There are various delicacies made with coconut. Freshly grated coconut is very beneficial for heart as it helps to increase the good cholesterol. It also gives glowing skin. There are many more benefits of coconut. Below recipe is a traditional dessert recipe which is usually prepared during festivals.

Ingredients

Freshly grated coconut - 1 cup

Raw rice - 2 tbsp

Milk - 100 ml

Jaggery - 1.5 cups

Powdered Cardamom - ½ tsp

Unsalted cashew nuts – 6-7

Raisins - 8-10

Clarified butter – 2tsp

Water 250 ml

Method

Soak raw rice in water for 2 hours. Grind soaked rice and coconut into a fine paste adding 50 ml water. Take a thick bottom pan. Add 200 ml water and heat. Once water is heated, add the coconut & rice paste. Keep stirring as it should not form lumps. Stir for 5-6 minutes till the liquid becomes semi solid. It appears like porridge. Take another pan. Add 50 ml water and mix jaggery. Heat this till jaggery melts. Now add melted jaggery to the rice coconut paste. Stir well for 2 more minutes. Switch off the flame. Now add milk and cardamom powder and mix well. Heat clarified butter with cashews and raisins. Now garnish the coconut kheer with cashews and raisins.

Serve hot. This is super yummy, healthy and nutritious dessert.