Date Apple Kheer!
An Apple a day keeps the Doctor away! The slogan has now become so cliche. I wonder who uttered that phrase for the first time though.
My first experience of Apple picking
A few days ago, We had been to an apple orchard for the annual apple picking festival. I had never seen an apple orchard before and the moment we set foot, I was mesmerized by the scene before me. Those bountiful apple trees were a sight to see. We spent almost the entire day walking through the long orchard trails of variety of Apple trees. Right from Granny smith, pink lady, Fuji, Red delicious and Gala. I picked up almost 12 pounds of apples of different variety. My first occasion of seeing the apple orchard was completed by downing 2 glasses of warm apple cider. My heart was full and so was thy stomach.
On the way back, I mentally noted all the recipes I’d try with these fresh apples. The very first, Apple Kheer. My favorite dessert which is absolutely thick and creamy because of the apples and sweetened with Dates. Yes! you heard it right, it has paste of Dates to sweeten the delicious, rich Kheer.
This Date Apple Kheer is also eaten during the time of Fast as it is grain-free. My recipe for quick, tasty and healthy Date- Apple Kheer is here….
- 2 Apples finely chopped
- 4 cups of Milk
- 1 tsp of cardamom
- 1 tsp of nutmeg
- 5-7 dates
- 5-6 slivered almonds
- 4-5 pistachios finely chopped
- 2-3 strands of Saffron
- In a heavy bottom pan, boil milk on a low flame.
- Keep stirring the milk to avoid getting burnt.
- Meanwhile soak Dates in warm water for 15 mins.
- Once the milk reduces to half, add cardamom powder and nutmeg powder.
- In a shallow pan, add finely chopped apples, cover with a lid and cook on a low flame for 5-8 mins.
- Do not add any water, the apples will start getting soft.
- Once the Apples are cooked (they fade in color and look soft), add the Apples to the boiling milk.
- Stir everything together uniformly.
- Grind the soaked dates to a fine paste and add this paste to the milk and Apple mixture and stir everything together.
- Roast the slivered almonds and pistachios on low flame and add these to the Kheer while serving.
- Add Saffron strands to kheer for more flavours.
This is recipe has all the Fall vibes and is sure to please any Thanksgiving dinner or Indian Festivals. If you like the recipe and give it a try, do leave a comment below.
