Thursday, April 15, 2010

Celebrations....Two of them!!

I am not one for huge celebrations...have always been overly-practical, even when it comes to celebration...prefer minimum fuss and fanfare!!! But there are some times and occasions when even the Queen of Practicality(myself!!!) wants to cheer...

Well, for one it is the beginning of a New Year in the South Indian calendar...so, Happy Tamil New Year / Happy Vishu to one and all!!! A new season and new year are definitely big reasons to celebrate....plus, the other occasion that makes me want to celebrate right now, is the fact that I am on my 50th post with this blog!!! Yaaaaahoooo!!!!

So, here is my two-in-one celebration recipe...of course, you know me...it is definitely Healthily Decadent...you will see...also here is a little verse, my daughter (the precocious poet, herself!) wrote to help me celebrate my blogging milestone!!!

"When my Mom started blogging...
  She started with a blog about cooking,
  And wanted to share it with Everyone,
  So her experience would be Fun!
  So, I made this poem for her 50th post,
  Now let us all make a toast! Yippee"

This dual celebration recipe for Carrot Beetroot Kheer makes its way to Shama's Payasam/Kheer Festival event. I tried out a variation to the Carrot Kheer I prepare usually, by adding some beets to it and of course, nut-obsessed that I am, had to also add some almonds and cashewnuts...which to my mind...make any dish richer and creamier than it normally would be...so here is a crazy yet surprisingly tasty kheer/pudding...let the celebrations continue...I hope!
Recipe for Carrot-Beetroot Kheer with a nutty flavor(South indian style pudding)-
Serves: 4
Prep/cook time: 25-35 mins.

Ingredients:
Carrots - 3 chopped
Beetroot - 1 small chopped
Almonds and cashew nuts - 1/2  cup chopped, combined
Milk - low fat - 2 to 2.5 cups
Sugar - 1/2 cup(could add more for sweeter kheer...I like my sweets to be not overly sweet)
Cardamom powder - 1 tsp
Saffron - few strands
For garnish - slivered almonds roasted(would taste better if roasted in a little ghee/clarified butter)

Method:
In a heavy-bottomed pan, let the milk boil on a low flame and keep stirring so it does not stick to bottom of pan.

In the meanwhile, blend together chopped carrots, beetroot and the almonds with a few more spoons of milk till you get a fine paste.

Then, add the blended carrot mixture to the boiling milk alongwith the cardamom powder and saffron strands.

Let the mixture cook on a medium or medium-low flame until it comes to a slow bubbling consistency...which takes 8 to 10 mins...do not boil too long or the mixture could end up becoming watery.

Once you a get slow rolling bubble consistency, take off the heat and add sugar...garnish with roasted slivered almonds.

This kheer tastes best when it has been chilled in the refrigerator for atleast a couple of hours...plus the consistency becomes creamier after refrigeration...

Enjoy!!!

18 comments:

  1. Happy New year wishes Meena, carrot and beet as kheer, sounds truly unique and look at that colour, really very catchy..Incredible..

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  2. Wish U n dear one's Happy New Year...this is nice kheer for me...looks very interesting...and thanks for visiting my blog..do keep in touch dear

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  3. ur daughter really apoet..nicely written lines.. lovely this innovative kheer.. new year wishes to u too.. cheers

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  4. Wow so cute and colourful kheer...

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  5. Congrats on your 50th post. Kheer looks yummy and nice color.

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  6. Congrats on your 50th post....and lovely poem from your DD...very innovative kheer,love the color looks yummy....happy vishu....

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  7. Happy Tamil New Year/ Vishu to you too. And congrats on hitting the 50th post milestone. Sincere wishes to you to hit many more memorable milestones like it.

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  8. I agree that it is a double dhamaka for you.Congratulations ,wishes for you to acquire many more success.

    Kheer is fabulous n absolutely healthy as well.

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  9. Congrats on your 50th post..Happy New year to you too..Kheer looks too colourful and tempting..

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  10. Congrats on your 50th post and a very happy tamil new year and a very lovely way to celebrate this double occasion with this yummy sweet, new to me but sounds great and looks too good

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  11. Happy new year!
    Nice poem for the 50th post!how old is your daughter?

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  12. Congart on milestone Meena!
    Happy new year to you and your family.
    Such nice poem she has written.

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  13. Happy new year.

    I liked your blog very much. I appreciate for your wonderful presentation with mouth watering pictures.
    You are welcome in my blogs. Now I have become your follower so I will be visiting your blog hereafter

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  14. Hi You have a lovely blog.You can visit my blog and give ur comments.

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  15. Meena,

    Carrot payasam looks really yummy. Happy vishu to you and your family.

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  16. Thatz very sweet of your daughter! payasam looks fabulous Meena...such a lovely color :)

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  17. Meena, congrats on 50th post !!! Great looking kheer.

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  18. Thats a lovely poem :) Wishing you and your family a very Happy Vishu! Carrot beetroot kheer looks delicious..

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