Arjun's Kheer
Recipe #10 - Rebel Queen
Calligraphy by @kayla_elaine_calligraphy
For the 10th and final recipe inspired by Michelle Moran's masterpiece, Rebel Queen, I have decided to finally feature one of my favorite Indian desserts. This sweet rice pudding, or kheer, is dedicated to Sita's sweetheart, Arjun.
Sita meets Arjun at the palace in Jhansi when she first joins the Rani's Durga Dal. They are both quite taken with eachother at first sight, and begin a quiet flirtation. A romance between them would have been forbidden due to their positions at the palace, so they simply exchange books of literature and poetry as well as brief conversations every once in a while. Over time, they fall in love, and amidst the turbulence of war, they decide to marry should both of them survive.
After the fall of Jhansi to the British, Sita and Arjun marry and have 3 children together. I would like to think that they had some peace after the war, and that they might have shared a nice kheer on a romantic evening together :)
Ingredients:
3 cups almond milk (I used Almond Breeze Unsweetened Vanilla)
1 cup cooked white or brown basmati rice (cooked according to package directions)
1/4 teaspoon cardamom powder
1/4 cup coconut sugar (adjust to taste)
1/4 cup chopped/slivered almonds
1/4 cup chopped/halved cashews
Saffron to garnish
Instructions:
In a large nonstick sauce pot, heat 1.5 cups almond milk and cooked basmati rice over medium heat until boiling
Decrease heat to low and simmer until mixture begins to thicken (about 4-6 minutes), stirring frequently to avoid sticking
Add the remaining 1.5 cups almond milk and stir well to incorporate. Increase heat to medium.
Add coconut sugar and cardamom powder and stir to incorporate.
Cook over medium until mixture begins to thicken (about 10-15 min), again stirring frequently to avoid sticking.
Remove from heat, and stir in almonds and cashews.
Allow to cool (or chill in fridge/freezer) and serve room temperature or chilled.
Garnish with a few strands of saffron.
Enjoy!
