This not so usual dessert is also known as Benami Kheer. Benami in Hindi means no name or unknown. This dish is one the lost recipes of Indian cuisine. The history of this dish goes back to the Mughal era and said to be originated in the Royal kitchens. Word garlic in any sweet dish can put off the biggest food enthusiast in confusion but the experienced Chefs in the royal kitchens were magicians who knew combining ingredients so well. The kheer does not contain any thickening ingredient like grain or flour.
The taste of this kheer is amazing. The thickened milk, creaminess from the cooked garlic and hint of cardamom, rose water/ rose petals gives a delectable flavour. To add more richness almonds can be added and the garlic does not have any pungency and lightens the taste and texture of the kheer.
I am salivating and thinking to have a small bowl again. You can enjoy this treat either warm or chilled.
Recipe for Garlic Kheer
Serves: 4 Duration: Cooking 45 minutes, preparation: 30 minutes
Ingredients
- Garlic Cloves – 50-70 gms or half cup peeled and slivered.
- Full fat milk – 4 cups
- Sugar – ¾ cup or as per taste
- Green cardamom ground- ½ tsp
- Rose water – 1 tbsp. or dried rose petals – 1.5 tbsp.
- Almonds and pistachios- slivered- optional, saffron – 1-2 strands
- Vinegar – 1 cup
Instructions
- To make the kheer, we need to remove the pungency and smell of garlic. Pour the vinegar into a glass bowl and add the slivered garlic and let it soak for 15-20 minutes.
- Now, take a small pot of boiling water and put the garlic in it and soak for 5 minutes. Strain the garlic and wash it under running water. And again soak for 5 minutes in boiling water and strain. Repeat this process 3-4 times.
- In a heavy bottom medium size pot, sprinkle some water and add the milk, heat the milk on a medium mode, keep stirring occasionally.
- After 15, minutes add cardamom, garlic and saffron (if using).
- Cook the mixture till it reduces to half. Keep stirring in between so as not to burn the milk. Keep scrapping the sides of the pot as and when milk rises.
- Add sugar and cook till the mixture becomes a little thick. Add rose water or rose petals and nuts if using.
- Serve, warm or chilled as per choice.
Happy Cooking
