Paneer Payasam/ Paneer Kheer Aka Basundhi

Lots of things to celebrate this week! Onam, Raksha bandhan and Avani Avittam. For people who haven't heard about Avani avittam, it's a special occasion in the south when men have a ritual of adorning the sacred thread on their shoulder. The initial sacred thread ceremony is called "Upanayam". The day after avani avittam is celebrated by chanting the sacred Gayathri mantra for 1008 times! So the menfolk of the house get to eat a feast after patiently chanting these mantras.

This is the only celebration that I know is for men in India! Correct me if there are any.

So I made Kheer with Paneer for my husband, son and dad. Of course, I was the first person to taste it. I had tried this couple of months ago, but i did not reduce the milk longer, It still tasted great, but I wasn't 100% satisfied with the result. This time I reduced the milk longer and the results were well worth the effort.

Paeer kheer is very rich, but easy to prepare. It tastes so wonderful almost like basundhi.

What you need:

1. 1 can evopareted milk (12 0z or 1&  1/2 cups)
2. 3/4 cup grated paneer
3. 1& 1/2 cups milk ( i used 2%)
4. 3/4 th cup sugar
5. 1 tsp ghee or clarified butter
6. 1 tbsp chopped nuts ( almonds, pistachios, cashews)
7. 1 tsp cardamom powder
8. A few golden raisins
9. A heavy bottomed vessel ( i used a small pressure cooker)

How I did it:

• Add the evaporated milk and the regular milk to a heavy bottomed vessel.
• Let it come to a boil.
• Add the grated paneer, keep the flame on medium and let it cook till the mikl is reduced to about 1half to three fourths of the initial quantity. It took be about 20 -25 mins.
• keep stirring the milk in between so that it does get burnt.
• Unfortunately this dish need all your TLC, so don't go away to other chores.
• Once the milk has reduced, add the sugar and keep stirring.
• You may notice that the kheer becoming a bit loose or watery, but don't worry.
• Let it boil for another 5 -7 mins and turn off the fire.
• Add the cardamom powder.
• In another pan, heat ghee and fry the nuts and raisins till golden and add this to the kheer.

It can be enjoyed either hot or serve it chilled! If you do not have a sweet tooth, you can cut down the sugar a bit more!

letz relisshh Paneer




and

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