Sweet Rice Kheer with Condensed Milk

I absolutely love this Sweet Rice Kheer with condensed milk, made the South African way. Well give me rice pudding any day of the week and I am happy. 

Sweet Rice Kheer with Condensed Milk

Here in SA we of course have our own little names for our dishes. This dish is actually called Kheer but we call it Sweet Rice here.

For the purpose of google I add both names just so it makes it easier when searching for a recipe. Indians first came to South African as indentured labourers and most were illiterate and I gather that’s where our simple names for our dishes came about.

Indians had to leave their roots and make do with basic ingredients they had here in SA. Their cooking style was adapted to their circumstances.

During Apartheid a whole generation lost their ties with India. There South African Indian food developed out of necessity and more as a symbol of survival.

The reason I feel it is imperative to explain this is because some readers assume we have anglicized the names of our dishes.  And yes maybe that’t true but was there a choice?

Now that it settles that we can get on with my recipe. If you haven’t made this kheer before I think it’s about time.

Sweet Rice brings back fond memories of family gatherings and special occassions. 

This delicious Indian pudding is mostly served at religious functions and celebrations and it never disappoints. I remember my mum used sugar instead of condensed milk.

However I prefer the richness the condensed milk adds to the rice pudding. I also add some butter ghee which makes it extra yummy!

You can use Jasmine rice or white rice for this dish. White rice can be found at most spice shops. Jasmine rice is easily found in major supermarkets.

We are moving into our new home soon and one of the rituals in terms of Indian tradition is to cook something sweet the day you move in. Apparently this is a symbol of abundance prosperity and food which will bless the new home. 

When I was younger I was never fond of traditions but as I am getting older they are growing on me. I love the little Indian traditions, as long as it’s not over the top I’m happy to follow them.

I haven’t cooked with sweet rice in a while so I am looking forward to making some soon. I would love for my very “westernised” kids to keep some of our traditions.

Indian culture is a rich and colourful one. I don’t think we really appreciate it until we are older.

My husbands side of the family are very orthodox and traditional and I come from a not so traditional family. At first it was hard to adjust to doing things differently but as I understood more I learnt to embrace it.

Cooking the Kheer

I did try cooking this dish with milk only. However, I must admit it felt very starchy to me. 

Therefore I abandoned the idea of using milk only. I find boiling the rice with some water first does make the kheer taste better. 

The amount of water and milk can be adjusted according to your taste. Please bare in mind that my recipes are tested at high altitude.

At high altitude stuff takes much longer to cook. I therefore require more liquids. If you are living on the coast you may require less liquid and cooking times will not be the same.

Another great Indian sweet treat to try is my Vermicelli Pudding:

Vermicelli Pudding

Sweet Rice/Kheer with condensed milk

Rich and Creamy white rice cooked with loads of milk, condensed milk and cardamom

5 from 4 votes

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr

Course SWEET TREATS

Cuisine Indian

Servings 6

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• ▢ 1 cup/250ml white rice or jasmine rice
• ▢ 1&1/2 cups water
• ▢ 3 cups milk or as required
• ▢ 1 tbsp butter ghee
• ▢ 1/3 cup condensed milk or more if your prefer sweeter
• ▢ 1/2 tspn ground cardamom/elachie
• ▢ 2 tspn ground almond

Instructions

 

• Rinse rice well and drain the water. Add the water to the rice and boil on medium heat
• Once water starts to reduce almost completely add the milk and allow it to simmer on low heat
• Stir the rice often as it tends to burn quite easily
• Once the milk has reduced and the rice is soft and creamy, turn the heat off. if the rice is still not quite soft add more milk and boil for a short while longer.
• Add the butter ghee, condensed milk, cardamom powder and almond powder. Serve warm

Notes

1. This rice turns to burn easily so keep a close eye on it
2. You can find white rice in most spices shops, it is a very fragrant rice. Jasmine rice is a great alternative
3. If you want a creamier Kheer you can add more milk. I love adding more milk, especially when I am re-heating the Kheer
4. I used a can of evaporated milk at times and reduce the amount of milk, also tastes delicious 
5. You can also add some nestle cream when cooked if you want to be indulgent

Keyword indian pudding, kheer, sweet rice

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