NEPALI FESTIVAL KHEER KHANE DIN – RICE PUDDING DAY – SHAWAN 15

In Nepal, festivities are of common occurrences. Whether it be esteemed festivals like Vijaya Dashami or other significant ones such as Mata Tirtha Aunshi (Mother’s Day), Nepalese are often observing these revelries. Similarly, Shawan 15 is marked as Kheer Khane Din, in Nepalese calendars.

“Kheer” is a common, yet an auspicious delicacy in Nepali cuisine. Although being just a sweet rice pudding, it is considered a pure and holy treat. Kheer Khane Din (literally translated as day for eating Kheer) marks the achievement of farmers in Nepal.

The Nepali month of Asadh and Shrawan marks the rice harvesting period for the farmers. Paddy farming in Nepal is a joyous occasion in Nepal. Whether it be men, women or people from different social backgrounds, they work in unity to plant the saplings and ensure a good harvest. Since, Shrawan marks the end of the harvest period, they offer Kheer as Prasad (holy offering) to the deities and enjoy themselves as well.

Want to commemorate the harvest of paddy by enjoying a delicious bowl of this sweet rice pudding? Here’s how you can make it.

How to make Nepali Kheer (Khir) / Nepali Rice Pudding

Ingredients to make Nepali Rice Pudding (1 cup = 240 ml)

Rice – 1 cup
Milk – 2 cups
Ghee – 1 tablespoon
Sugar – Half cup
Cardamom – 1 Tablespoon
Cashew Nuts – some
Raisins – some
Big Cardamom (Alaichi or Eliechy) – a little

Method:

• Soak the rice for one hour before doing anything
• In a heavy bottomed pot, melt and heat the ghee
• Fry the nuts like cashew, etc. in the ghee and put them aside
• In the same pot, boil the milk and add sugar to it
• Crush the cardamom and add it also to the milk
• When the milk has come to a boil and reduced a little, drain the soaked rice and add it to the pot
• Stir every once in a while, so the kheer doesn’t stick to the pot
• Cook the rice for another 25-30 minutes, until thick and creamy.
• Garnish with chopped nuts and serve hot or cold
• Note: When served as a meal, Kheer comes with a savory side-dish like fried potatoes or vegetable curry.