Badam Kheer ( Almond puding )

Ingredients:

25 almonds (badam)

1 litre milk

1/4 cup water

1/2 cup sugar

4-5 crushed green cardamoms

10-15 strands saffron soaked in warm milk

Method:

Soak almonds in hot water for 15 minutes and peel the skin and grind the almonds to a paste adding half a cup of water.
Bring the milk to a boil in a heavy bottomed vessel and add the sugar and almond paste and then on low heat keep stirring once in while till the milk is reduced to 3/4 th of its quantity. Ensure that you stir so that it doesnt burn.
Add the cardamom pwd and stir well.Turn off heat.
Soak saffron strands in some warm milk and stir it well and add it to the kheer(pudding).
Garnish with silvered almonds and serve chilled.

Note: Badam Kheer, which is one of my family’s favorite drink, can be made to a thicker consistency by boiling the milk till it is reduced to half its original quantity like payasam. I prefer to make it to a drinking consistency by boiling the milk to 3/4th of its original quantity. You can use low fat milk or half and half. The sugar quantity can be adjusted to your choice. It can also be served warm.