It was a junior colleague's b'day on the 15th. It was doubly important for him as it was the New Year too ( he is a Bengali ).
Away from home for the first time, he lamented how his mother was very upset as he did not have Payesh / Kheer. Hubby is a softie ... and immediately committed that he will get his payesh the next day.
Notwithstanding the fact that we ourselves have been living off bread / McD's burgers for the past so many days.
But I can't blame him. We both are suckers. One just had to whine and we fall for it. Both friends and just aquantainces have greatly benefited from this. ;-)
Like the pregnant wife of a colleague ... who on our first introduction ..... went on and on how she was craving for Rosogollas ( she knew I was a Bengali & cook well too ..... thanks to our loyal friends ). And I very good naturedly make some the very next day .... and off goes the dear husband with a big box.
I never heard from her again.
And there have been uncounted times when a friend would want to have fish .... and gets a box on his table the next day. No ... nobody believes in returning a favour ... not even with a word of thanks. Only when we get to cross our paths at a party or get together I'd get to hear that I cook fish very well.
Duuuhhhhh?
But thank god such characters are few and far between. There are lots & lots more with much more etiquette and courtesy... who will call up to warn they are barging in ... make me promise I won't step into the kitchen ... get some stuff .... and spend hours sprawled on the floor ... endless talks on endless topics .... and laughs. :-) They are the ones who make friendship worthwhile. No prizes for guessing which lot I cherish and absolutely love to cook for. :-)
Anyway ... So there I was the next morning ... cooking payesh .... when I'd rather have somebody cook me a decent meal.
Decided since I was making it anyway, I might as well post it. So clicked some snaps with a lot less enthu than I'd on any other time.
( This snap has a successfully blurred background, unlike the other ones. And I do not have Photoshop. :-) )
Need : Rice ... around a quarter cupfull ( broken Basmati rice is best for this ), 1 litre milk, sugar, less than a pinch of salt, elaichi / cardamom seeds, bay leaves.
How to : Soak the rice in a bowl with a little milk / water for around half an hour.
Boil milk with the cardamom and bay leaves till it reduces a little ( whole / full cream milk works best for kheer ).
Now add the rice & the salt ( it has to be very, very little ... just to complement the sugar ) .... and let it boil.
Remember never to leave it even for a moment ... the rice will stick to the bottom (yes, even if you are using a non-stick pan ).
Keep stirring and stirring .... till the rice gets cooked completely.
Now add the sugar ( I cannot give the measurement ... just taste it and decide when it is enough ). It will release water.
So boil for some more time.
Serve warm / cold.
With these measurements the Payesh / Kheer turned out to be very thick and creamy. If you prefer it a little less thick then lessen the quantity of rice ... and do not reduce the milk too much.
