Firni (Milk and Rice pudding)

Firni (Milk and Rice pudding)

Ingredients:

Basmati Rice - 2.5 heaped tbsp Full Cream Milk - 2 cups (1/2 litre / 500ml) Sugar - 1/8 cup + 1 tbsp Saffron - 5 strands Cardamom powder - 1/4 tsp Chopped Mixed Nuts - for garnish(I used almonds and pistachios)

Method:

Rinse basmati rice and soak in water for an hr.Transfer to mixer and with little water grind it to a semi fine paste, slightly coarse.When you touch it with your fingers you should feel the coarse texture. Set aside. Take a heavy bottomed wide pan and boil milk.Take a tbsp of warm milk in a bowl and soak saffron , set aside.Boil milk for 3mins then add the rice paste. Whisk it well to avoid lumps.Let it cook for 10-12mins in simmer.Check whether rice is cooked to soft, else cook for 5more mins.Once rice is cooked add saffron milk mixture and sugar. Give a stir. Once sugar is completely dissolved and the mixture is thick more like pudding consistency add cardamom powder and switch off.Spoon the mixture into serving bowls and garnish with saffron and chopped nuts of your choice. Refrigerate it atleast for an hr. Serve chilled ....yummm!!