Quinoa Payasam ( Kheer)

I have posted many recipes in my blog using quinoa. Quinoa has become my everyday staple food . It has low glycemic index and a very good alternative for rice, if you are in the process of reducing your weight.  Longtime, I have been thinking to try some dessert using quinoa. This quinoa payasam came out so well . I have used quinoa, jaggery, nuts and dry fruits . It was so yummy ! 

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time: 20 minutes

Serves: 3 to 4 people 

INGREDIENTS:

Qunioa - 1/2 cup

Milk - 2 cups

Jaggery - 1/2 cup 

Water - 1/2 cup

Saffron strands - 3 to 4 no.s 

Dates - 2 no.s

Cashews - 5 no.s

Ghee - 1 teaspoon

METHOD:

1. Soak quinoa in cold water for 15 to 20 minutes. Now drain water, In a pressure cooker add some ghee, and roast  quinoa for 1 to 2 minutes. Now add 1/2 cup of milk and 1/2 cup of water. Also add a stainless spoon in the cooker. It will prevent the spewing of milk from the cooker. Cover with lid. Pressure cook in high flame for 3 whistles. Once the pressure settles , open the lid.

2. Now add another 1 1/2 cup of milk. Also add few saffron strands. Allow it to start boiling. Now add jaggery and keep stirring, till the jaggery dissolves. You can see the kheer turns thick and creamy. 

3. Now in a pan, add some ghee. Add chopped dates pieces and fry for sometime and add it to the kheer. Now , in the same pan, add some more ghee and chopped cashew nut pieces. Fry for sometime till it change colour and pour it over the kheer.  Serve the kheer hot or cold !