Phirni

Phirni is a creamy rice pudding from the Northern region of India. The addition of rose water gives that seductive floral aroma to the dish. 
For this Valentine's Day, instead of chocolate, how about the surprising your Valentine with healthy aromatic phirni in front of fire?

I like to serve phirni in Japanese pottery dishes from my collection. Garnishing is very important to any dish. What could be more appropriate than garnishing with a rose petal for Valentine's day?

Serves 6
• ½ cup long grain rice
• ¼ cup water
• 6 cups whole milk
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon green cardamom seed
powder
• 1 teaspoon rose water
• ½ cup coarsely chopped roasted
nuts such as slivered almonds and
pistachio nuts
• pistachio nuts and rose petals for
garnishing

Soak rice in two cups of water for 3 - 4 hours. Drain the rice and transfer to the blender along with 1/4 cup of water and grind into fine paste. Mix rice paste with milk in a medium saucepan. Boil over medium to medium high heat for about 15 minutes while stirring often, until it becomes creamy. Add sugar and cook for another 7 - 8 minutes while stirring often. Mix in cardamom powder and essence. Stir in the chopped nuts. Transfer them to individual serving dishes. Cover with plastic wrap. Cool in the refrigerator. Just before serving, garnish with pistachio nuts and rose petals.

For more memorable recipes, tablescapes, and entertaining ideas, please check out my book, Entertaining From an Ethnic Indian Kitchen, at my website komalinunna.com.  

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