Welcome to our kitchen! Today, we’re going to prepare a creamy and delicious dessert – Sama Chawal Kheer. This kheer made from sama chawal (barnyard millet) is not only comforting but also perfect for festive occasions or as a sweet treat. Let’s dive into the recipe!

Ingredients

To make Sama Chawal Kheer, you will need:

• 1/2 cup Sama Chawal (Barnyard millet)
• 1 liter Milk (full cream for richness)
• 1/2 cup Sugar (adjust to taste)
• 1/4 cup Mixed nuts (almonds, cashews, pistachios), chopped
• 1/2 tsp Cardamom powder
• Saffron strands (optional, for garnish)
• A pinch of Salt

Instructions

Step 1: Preparing Sama Chawal

1. Wash and soak: Rinse sama chawal thoroughly and soak it in water for 15-20 minutes. Drain and set aside.

Step 2: Cooking Sama Chawal

1. Boil milk: In a heavy-bottomed pan or kadhai, bring the milk to a boil over medium heat.
2. Add soaked sama chawal: Add drained sama chawal to the boiling milk. Stir well and simmer on low heat.

Step 3: Cooking Kheer

1. Cook until thick: Stir occasionally and cook the mixture until the sama chawal is tender and the milk reduces to a creamy consistency. This may take about 30-40 minutes.
2. Add sugar: Add sugar and mix well. Let it simmer for another 5-10 minutes until the sugar dissolves completely and the kheer thickens further.
3. Add nuts and flavoring: Add chopped nuts (reserving some for garnish), cardamom powder, and a pinch of salt. Mix well and cook for a couple of minutes.

Step 4: Serving

1. Garnish: Garnish with remaining chopped nuts and saffron strands (if using).
2. Serve hot or chilled: Serve Sama Chawal Kheer hot or chilled as a delightful dessert after meals or during festive occasions.

Tips and Variations

• Creaminess: For a richer texture, you can add condensed milk or evaporated milk towards the end of cooking.
• Flavorings: You can add rose water or kewra water for additional flavor.
• Nut-free: Skip nuts or replace them with seeds like pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds for a nut-free version.

Nutritional Benefits

Sama chawal (barnyard millet) is gluten-free and rich in fiber, making Sama Chawal Kheer a healthier alternative to traditional rice kheer. It’s also packed with essential minerals and vitamins from nuts.

Enjoy making and relishing this creamy and flavorful Sama Chawal Kheer with your loved ones!