Khira
by Alkajena

Khira is one of the signature Odia dessert recipe that is offered as Mahaprasad to lord Jagannath in Puri. This delicious recipe with thickened milk and crumbled paneer creates a sensational sweet taste in your taste bud. This Khira recipe has been flavored with cardamom powder which gives a beautiful fragrance to the dish and addition of an exotic fruit like Sitaphal or Custard apple in this makes it more succulent.

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Khira recipe - How to make Khira

1 ltr full fat milk
200 gms grated paneer (cottage cheese)
4 to 5 crushed cardamom (elaichi)
2 tbsp crushed cashewnuts (kaju)
2 cups chilled custard apple (sitaphal) pulp , refer to handy tip
pistachio slivers and saffron (kesar) strands for garnishing

Method

Heat the milk in a deep pan, add the crushed cardamoms.
Once it starts to boil, lower the gas and let it simmer till it reduces to half of it's quantity, while stirring in between. Taking care that it does not stick to the bottom of the pan.
Add powder the cashewnuts, paneer and let it boil for minimum 15 to 20 minutes or till you find the milk has reduced to 1/3rd quantity.
Switch off the gas and let the khira cool completely.
Once cooled add the custard apple pulp. Mix well.
Pour the khira into small earthern pots and refrigerate to chill.
Garnish with pistachio slivers and some saffron strands.
Serve chilled.

Handy tip:

For the custard apple pulp scoop out the pulp with the seeds and place them on a sieve over a large deep bowl.
Start pressing the pulp with the back of your spoon, the seeds will separate from the pulp and a smooth pulp will collect in the bowl.
Keep it in the refrigerator to cool.