Rice pudding or kheer

Rice kheer also known as rice pudding, is especially popular across all over India and is eaten as a dessert at home as well prepared during many religious ceremonies. It is very versatile as it can be served warm or cold. I like it cold when it thickens and tastes so yummy!!


INGREDIENTS:

1/2 cup     Basmati Rice   6 tbsp       Sugar  6 cups        Milk  1 tsp        Ghee  1 cup        Water 1 tsp         Raisins   1 tsp      Cardamom Powder  1/2 cup  Cashew Nut (thinly sliced) optional

Method: Heat a pot , pour ghee and add rice., stir for few sec.

pour milk  and bring it to a boil. Reduce the flame and stir continuously. When rice are half cooked, add little water if required. Stir continuously until it boils. mash the rice with potato masher or spatula. Add sugar to the cooked mixture with cardamom and raisins. Mix well. Rice kheer is ready to serve or chill it then serve as dessert.ENJOY!!!

Zucchini rice

 Zucchini is an Italian name , it's a summer squash vegetable , rich in folate , potassium , vit.A , manganese....also low in calories!!! ...I am not very fond of it but for a change in taste n sometimes like to have light food in dinner then i prefer its curry.... recently i tried Zucchini rice with basmati rice( it's longer rice known for fragrance and flavor ,u may find it easily in Indian groceries ) it tastes wonderful :) ...I BET....!for it..:)give it a try i am sure u will not be repented...


INGREDIENTS:
basmati rice             1cup
zucchini                    1medium size
cumin seeds              1tsp
bay leaf                        1
cloves                           4-5
chili powder                1/2tsp
turmeric optional       1/4tsp
garam masala or 
curry powder              1/2tsp
oil/butter                       1-2tsp
salt to taste


METHOD:

• Wash the rice and soak it with 2cups water for 30min.
• meanwhile wash one zucchini cut its ends and grate( or kadukas) it without taking out its peel.
• Heat a pot ,add oil/butter /ghee , cumin , cloves and bay leaf ( may add cinnamon stick , peppercorns) cook for few sec. then add rice and spices. Stir it.
• cook for 10min until all water is soaked then switch off the burner and cover it .
• let it cook by steam for another 5-8min.
• Serve hot with raita , yogurt....may add extra butter on top for taste..:) garnish it  with one coriander leaf ...Enjoy!!

Vegetable biryani

INGREDIENTS:
basmati rice                          1cup
onion                                     1 medium size
cumin                                    1tsp
ginger garlic paste                1tsp
green cardamom                   2-4 pieces
yogurt or curd                      1/2cup
biryani masala powder        1tsp
garam masala                        1tsp
oil / butter                             3-4tsp
salt acc. to taste
saffron color (optional)
vegetables of your choice can add beans, carrot, peas, mushroom,cauliflower, paneer , tofu..
mint and coriander chopped
green chili optional              2-3


METHOD:

• Soak rice for 20-25 min. and boil in enough water with some salt ,few drops of oil and cardamom.
• Sieve the rice when they are 80%done.
• Heat a pan , pour some oil or butter add cumin or jeera, ginger garlic paste and vegetables in bigger pieces and some salt .
• Cook the vegetables until they are 70% done , don't overcook.
• Add mint, coriander, biryani masala, little yogurt.Stir it , you can add paneer or raisins at this time.
• Take a foil or pyrex container or cake  pan and grease with butter. 
• Layer it with some rice at bottom and place all the vegetables in between and top it with another layer if rice .
• Fry some onions thinly cut in  butter and layer it on top . You can add some drops of saffron color on top if u like.
• Cover the pan with foil and put in oven for for 15-20min.
• Serve hot .

vegetable pulav

INGREDIENTS:

basmati rice 2cup

onion thin sliced 1cup

carrot sliced 1cup

peas 1-1/2 cup

cumin 1tsp

oil 2-3tsp

garam masala 2tsp

salt 1tsp

chilli powder 1/2tsp

cloves 3-4

bay leaf 1-2 as per size

butter 2tsp or as per taste:)

you may add paneer, green pepper or other veggies ,i used beet for color ..apart from food colour...

METHOD:

Wash the rice in water and pour water with rice in a utensil to cook (for 2cups add 4-6 cups of water more than usual).

Add 1/2 tsp salt and few drops of oil to prevent it from sticking.Boil the rice until they are 80% cooked and drain off rest water.

Heat a pan and add oil , cumin, bay leaf (can also add black pepper whole for extra taste).

Then add onion and cook for few sec. then add carrots ,peas or any vegetable you like. Stir it add salt ,chilli powder ,garam masala , set the burner medium to slow and let it cook for 10 min .

Mix the boiled rice and pour 2-3 tsp butter and mix ,cover it and switch off the burner.Let it cook for10min...now Your veg. pulav is ready ...serve hot add salt as per taste