Apple Kheer (Gluten-free, Refined Sugar-free)

If you are in the mood to try a traditional Indian dessert with a twist, how about this Apple Kheer? Best served chilled, this gluten-free pudding is luscious, fruity and refreshing. It can also be made refined sugar-free if sweetened with jaggery, coconut sugar or erythritol.

---

Recipe

Apple Kheer

(Serves 6)

Ingredients

2 tsp ghee
1 tbsp slivered pistachios 
1 tbsp slivered almonds 
1 tbsp cashew bits
1 tbsp raisins 
2 medium sized red apples (use any variety)
6-8 tbsp sugar/powdered jaggery/coconut sugar (add more or less according to your preference) 
4 cups milk (whole milk works best)
3 tbsp (white) rice flour 
1/2” piece cinnamon
2 cloves
1 bay leaf 
1/2 tsp ground green cardamom 

Method

In a heavy based pan, heat the ghee and lightly fry the nuts and raisins. Remove them from the pan and set aside.

Peel, core and grate the apples. Working quickly, add the grated apple flesh to the pan and cook on medium heat for 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Once the apples start to soften, add your sweetener of choice and cook for another 5 minutes. When the apple mixture turns jammy, turn off the heat and set aside to cool.

In a heavy-based saucepan combine the milk and rice flour. Whisk well and add the cinnamon, cloves and bay leaf. Bring the milk to a boil over medium heat, stirring frequently. Once it boils, turn the heat down to medium-low and continue to stir for about 20 minutes. The milk will reduce and thicken to a custard-like consistency. Turn off the heat. Remove and discard the whole spices. Stir in half the fried nuts and raisins along with the ground cardamom. Set aside to cool.

Once the kheer cools to room temperature, mix in the cooked apple. Stir well to combine. Enjoy the apple kheer at room temperature or refrigerate until chilled.

Serve garnished with the remaining nuts and raisins and enjoy!