Kaun er Chaaler Payesh

Kaun er Chaaler Payesh

Kaun er chaal is not actually a variety of rice. Its in actual seeds of some sort, quite like sago (small size sabudana) and is had during fasting when rice is  forbidden .

Khichri, soft rice, payesh etc are prepared with kaun er chaal. I prepared payesh, keer in Hindi.

Ingredients :

 Full Cream Milk........................................1  litre milk
 Kaun Er Chaal...........................................1 handful of Kaun er Chaal
 Bay Leaf....................................................2
 Sugar.........................................................4 tbsp or as per taste
 Green Cardamom Powder...........................4 cardamoms powdered
 Chopped nuts n raisins................................4-6 tbsp

Method :

In a deep pan or wok heat a litre of full cream milk and reduce it to half.Add  the bay leaves while reducing the milk.

Put the kaun er chaal in the pressure cooker to boil to soften it. It tends to remain a little hard so this is what I do.

When the milk is half add the kaun er chaal and let it boil with the milk. When the milk and kaun er chaal is well mixed add the sugar. When the sugar melts and the payesh is thick put the gas flame off and leave in the wok. Give the payesh standing time.

Sprinkle the cardamom powder and the chopped nuts and raisins. Mix.

Decorate some raisins and nuts on top

Serve chilled.

Enjoy this very different dessert.

Though I am not absolutely sure about this but I think"Kaun Er CHaal"is known by the name of Quinoa.Quinoa is a versatile seed often mistaken for a grain.It serves as a good replacement for rice on Hindu  fasting days