Badam ki Phirni is a luxurious Punjabi rice pudding, similar to kheer but creamier, smoother, and thicker. The addition of almond paste to the phirni transforms it into an absolute treat for the taste buds. The almond paste gives a creamy texture and nutty flavor to badam ki phirni. It is a traditional dessert which is not only delicious but also nutritious. It is usually eaten with hot pooris. This delightful dish is usually made during festivals like Diwali, Karwa chauth, and Eid.
Health Benefits
Badam ki phirni is rich in calcium and proteins as it is made from milk. It is good for children as it provides essential nutrition. Almonds are rich in proteins, healthy fats, antioxidants, and minerals. Almonds protect body cells from aging, lower bad cholesterol and raise good cholesterol, and prevent cancer. Almonds are also a healthy source of energy. They are known to help in the growth of brain cells.
Ingredients
33 fluid oz full cream milk
¼ cup basmati rice
5 tbsp sugar
20 almonds or badam
½ tsp green cardamom powder
5 strands of kesar or saffron
4 Badam - finely chopped, for garnishing
How To Make Badam Ki Phirni
- Wash the rice thoroughly with water. Soak the washed rice in 1 ½ cup of water for 30 minutes.
- Drain the water completely, grind soaked rice to a fine paste, and keep aside.
- Soak the almonds in warm water for 15 minutes and then peel and grind to a fine paste.
- Soak the saffron strands in 1 tbsp of warm milk and keep aside.
- Heat milk in a heavy bottom pan.
- When the milk boils, lower the flame and add the ground rice paste and stir constantly to ensure it gets properly mixed in the milk and no lumps are formed.
- Keep cooking the milk and rice mixture on low flame till the rice gets cooked and the milk thickens.
- Now add sugar, almond paste, cardamom powder, and the saffron milk to the boiling milk.
- Mix well and cook until the badam ki phirni thickens and sugar gets fully dissolved.
- Transfer the badam ki phirni to small serving bowls.
- Garnish the badam ki phirni in bowls with the chopped almonds and chill in the refrigerator for 2 hours so that it sets.
Trivia
Badam ki phirni owes its unique flavor and creamy texture to the almonds. A fact not commonly known is that almonds are members of the rose family and are also called ‘the queen of the rose family’. Almonds are not technically a nut, they are the seed of a flower! However, since they look like nuts, they are referred to as tree nuts. Vincent van Gogh painted Almond Blossoms in 1890, a painting of blossoming almond trees to celebrate the birth of his nephew, who was also named ‘Vincent’.