Bajra Kheer (Pearl Millet Pudding)

Servings: 6-8
Preparation time: 2-3 minutes.
Bajara Frying time: 4-5 minutes.
Cooking time: 7-8 minutes.
Nuts Frying time: 2-3 minutes.
Cooking time in milk: 15-16 minutes.
Total time: 35 minutes.

The roots of Bajra Kheer lie in the rural kitchens of Rajasthan, Haryana and Gujarat, where bajra has been a staple grain for centuries due to its heat-resistant nature and high nutritional value.

In these regions, families often prepare bajra-based sweets during winter months for warmth and strength. Over time, Bajra Kheer became a beloved dessert across many parts of North and Western India.

“Bajra Kheer(Pearl Millet Pudding)” is a wholesome and comforting dessert that brings together the earthy richness of pearl millet and the creamy sweetness of milk.

Lightly flavoured with cardamom and enriched with nuts, it makes a simple yet soulful treat enjoyed by all ages.

Ingredients:

Bajra (Pearl Millet): 1/2 cup
Milk: 1 litre
Ghee (Clarified butter): 1 tablespoon
Green Cardamom Powder: 1 teaspoon
Almond: 10-12 no.
Cashew Nuts: 10-12 no.
Pistachio slice: 1 tablespoon
Sugar: 100 gm.

Preparation:

Slice/roughly crushed almond, keep aside.
Clean and soak bajra for 6-7 hours or overnight; decant and grind on pulse mode for few seconds, keep aside.

Method:

Heat a pressure cooker with 1 tablespoon ghee, stir fry on medium flame for couple of minutes (continue stirring otherwise it may stick on bottom).
On another burner heat ghee in a frypan (wok), add crushed cashew nut and almonds, stir fry on minimum flame until golden hue appears, keep aside.
Add 1 1/2 cup of hot water; bring to full cooking pressure, lower the flame to minimum for 2-3 minutes, put off the flame, let it cool.
simultaneously heat milk for boiling on another burner; boil till it reduces to 1/3; add boiled Bajra into reduced milk.
Let it cook for 10-12 minutes at low flame.
Add sugar; continue cooking for 2-3 minutes or until sugar dissolves.
Add fried nuts; continue cooking for couple of minutes.
Put off the flame; transfer into serving bowl; sprinkle the pistachio over it.
You may serve hot or warm as per your choice.