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Sunday, September 7, 2008

Laal Bhoplyachi Kheer (Pumpkin Kheer)

Tis the season of change....everywhere I go and everywhere I see, people are talking about change. The atmosphere sure got me fired up and I decided to change the look of my blog! S has been urging me to do this for so long...but for some reason or the other I was uncomfortble doing it. Who likes change, right ? But no change means stagnancy. Maybe this might just give me some renewed enthusiasm ;). So last weekend, we both sat down and changed the look of the blog and I must confess that it feels really good and fresh, just like a newly painted home. I also realized that its just like painting your home...the look might change but the warm and cozy feeling of the home never goes away.

And although the major changes are done, I might keep doing minor upgrades to it. All suggestions and feedback are more than welcome!
A few days back, I had got butternut squash from the grocery store. The original plan was to make some comforting soup with it, but then S told me of the pumpkin kheer his mom makes and how he was craving for it. For me, this was a new recipe. I had never tasted pumpkin kheer or 'laal bhoplyachi kheer' as we would call it in Marathi. That day was also Nagpanchmi and I had to make something sweet anyways. Although the recipe was not very different from how we make the regular kheer as per my hubby, I still wanted to confirm it from the source :). We called my MIL early in the morning and confirmed the recipe. Sure enough, it was easy and sounded delicious! The texture and taste of the butternut squash was perfect for the kheer. Normally, we use pumpkin(laal bhopala), but any squash/pumpkin that is slightly sweeter in taste will do.



Ingredients : ( serves 2-3)
1 butternut squash (or pumpkin)
about 2 cups of milk ( i did not measure this time...but its easy to adjust)
about 1/2 cup sugar (depending on how sweet the squash is)
1 tbsp tup (ghee)
1 tsp veldoda pwdr (cardamom)
dry fruits (optional)

Method :
Cut the butternut squash into half and then cook the squash in the microwave for about 5-6 minutes. You can also pressure cook the squash. Once cooked and cooled a little bit, scoop out the squash. Now mash the coooked squash with the back of a spoon. Keep aside.

In a saucepan, heat the tup (ghee) and then add and saute the mashed pumkin for a few minutes. Next, add the milk to it. You can adjust the quantity of milk as per the desired consistency. Cook till it comes to a boil and then add the sugar. Stir and let it boil again. If the kheer is too thin, reduce the flame and keep boiling till the milk reduces a bit. The kheer should be a little thick in consistency for best results. Turn off the heat and then add the veldoda powder (cardamom). Let the kheer cool and then you can either chill it in the refrigerator or serve immediately.

If you are adding dry fruits like raisins and cashews, fry them in the ghee before adding the cooked squash to it. You can also add a little saffron, although I did not use it this time. Another good addition would be a little nutmeg powder.

This time, I wanted to enjoy the flavor of the squash as is without much adulteration so I only used cardamom powder. But you can definitley make it richer with your favorites! Hope you enjoy this simple yet delicious kheer. :)

Other pumkin/squash desserts :

Gharge


23 comments:

musical said...

Hey Tee, good to see you after sooooo many days! The beginning of this post kinda' echoed my sentiments. Guess i should take some inspriration :).

The kheer looks yum-yum good :).

hugs,
musical.

notyet100 said...

LOOKS YUM,..:-)

Beyond Curries said...

I also prepare pumpkin kheer. I also add a couple tablespoons of MTR Badam Feast powder and it gives a very good taste.

Vee said...

You've made me yearn for home! This kheer is a much-loved, much-made part of my grandmother's menus. She grates the bhopla finely and then cooks it in the milk, giving it coarser feel. This way or that, in the end, it's all so yummylicious! Thanks for reminding :)

sra said...

Hi Tee, this is very unusual, I've not heard of this kheer. I've heard of grated pumpkin in custard, though, a South-East Asian thing, I think.

Sia said...

that looks delicious girl and plz keep continung to post such recipes :)

Sagari said...

delecious keer

Richa said...

change is good :)
such a lovely color n texture to the kheer!

Priyanka said...

Tee, glad to have you back.... the new layout looks good...especially because i like larger fonts. have never had or heard of pumpkin kheer before...you sure come back with a bang:)

Vani said...

hey Tee...

Great new recipe...The yellow is so comforting...!!and love the new look of your blog too..:)

Sharmi said...

hi, hmmmm delicious looking kheer! dropped in to get the delicious effect of the lovely recipe.

Laavanya said...

Hey Tee, didn't realize you were back posting recipes or I would've popped by sooner. I like the clean template :)
Love the colour of the kheer...

Sheetal Kiran said...

Hi Tee,

The kheer looks lovely!

I absolutely love your blog and the name is just so cute! I have added you to my blogroll -- I am sorry, it just occurred to me that I should have asked before I added you.

Please let me know if it's okay with you, thanks.

Sia said...

the template change is sure refreshing Tee and kheer looks d-lish:)

Vijitha said...

Yummmmy kheer!!
This is my first time here....

Mahek said...

hi
marathi shabda pahun far majaa vatate like veladode
i will surely try this recipe looks yummy...

Sia said...

Tee, that was really qucick:) glad u liked dudhi-aloo masala :)

Deepthi Shankar said...

that looks yummy ...

Supriya said...

Hi Tee, I've made laal bhoplyache bharit (raita), but never knew about the kheer. BTW, for the raita, I use the frozen cooked squash...makes it a breeze to prepare.

Usha said...

This is my first visit to your blog you have a wonderful blog...this kheer sounds so unique and looks very creamy and delicious...have bookmarked will give this a try

Sunshinemom said...

First time here, and hooked after seeing the thalipeeth and the pumkin kheer! Like the name too - sounds rather musical:)

wreckedpc said...

Hi,

I am presently in Bangalore and I yearn for some good Bhagar Amti. I don't know what it is called in English or Kannad. Please let me know so I can find bhagar in nearby store and cook it.

Thanks,
Swapnil

Tee said...

Hi Swapnil,

You can find the answer to your question at the following link:

http://bhaatukli.blogspot.com/2007/07/varyache-tandul-samo-rice-ani-daanyachi.html

Let me know if this helps.
Thanks !