11/20/09

Pear and Apple Kheer


We all know its not only good but important to include some fruits in our daily diet. When Yasmeen announced the Healing Foods event, I thought its was a very neat idea. Of the various healing foods, I chose to cook with Apples and Pears. Before going to the recipe lets just glance on the benefits of eating them which I came across after a bit of googling.
First up, Pears, they contain a natural dietary fibers like pectin and lignin which are effective in preventing constipation and lowering cholesterol respectively. Pectin also helps to tone the intestine and reduce the risk of colon cancer. Pears are a very good source of an important mineral called boron, which helps keep the bones and your memory strong.

Apples contain sugars, amino acids, magnesium, iron, potassium, carbohydrates, vitamins C, B and B2, phosphates, tartaric acids, pectin, and mineral salts. They are prescribed for intestinal infections, constipation, mental and physical fatigue, hypertension, rheumatism, gout, anemia, bronchitis, urine retention, hepatic disorders, gastric and kidney malfunctions, hoarseness, coughing, and excess cholesterol in the blood.
Researchers have found that compounds in apples may protect against cancer, prevent asthma and sharpen memory. Apples strengthen the whole metabolism, balance the digestion, stimulate blood production as well as the metabolism of fats, and cleanse the system. They also have diuretic, febrifugal and relaxing properties, and stimulate the appetite.
After all they don't say "An apple a day keeps the doctor away ! " for nothing :)



Ingredients:

1 apple, red delicious,

1 pear,
3 cups milk,
1/2 C sugar,
1/2 tsp cardamom pdr,
1" cinnamon,
few strands of saffron,
3-4 dried dates, soaked in hot water for few mins.

Method:
Bring milk to a boil in a thick bottom pan and simmer till it thickens.


Peel and chop apples and pears. Heat a pan ( I use non stick), add the chopped fruit and cook on medium heat. Add sugar, cinnamon and stew till sugar melts, and most of the moisture evaporates. Add this mixture to the reduced milk and cook till the kheer thickens some more. At this stage if the apples or pears are a bit sour it may seem like the milk is curdling , but don worry that's OK .

Add green cardamom powder, chopped dates , saffron and cook for few more minutes .Let it cool slightly, remove the cinnamon stick and blend it in a blender. Serve chilled garnished with almonds and pistachios.

If you wanna skip the blending process , just grate the fruits , don't chop. You can also use either of the fruits.

Tastes great with puris or by itself.
Enjoy !




Apart from the fruit, the spices, milk , dates, saffron all have significant health benefits and hey, no butter (or ghee). So this to me is a perfect healthy dessert.

To know more about the healing nature of Pears and Apples click
here and here.

14 comments:

mona said...

Rahin, the kheer sounds deelish, never tried a kheer with pear and apple. Jazakallahu khair for sharing, inshallah will try.

Cham said...

Another way to take our fruit intake! Quiet new & tasty kheer!

Unknown said...

good one...looks delicious..

Renus Kitchen said...

very nice recipe..my little one will love it and so as we!

Priya Suresh said...

Very unique combination..kheer looks rich and creamy..

Cilantro said...

Lovely and healthy combination.Looks very delicious.

Unknown said...

Fresh fruit in kheer is something I never tried,thanks for sharing the splendid recipe :D

Malar Gandhi said...

Sounds very healthy, kheer with fruits must be very tasteee too:)

Yasmeen said...

Eid Mubarak dear Rahin :D

kaan said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Namitha said...

nifty idea...very interesting :-)

VENNILLA said...

Hi friend this is vennilla here.. ur doing a really good job.. can we exchange links..

Rahin said...

Mona do let me know how you like it

Thanks Cham, Sowmya

My son loves it hope ur kiddo too likes it ....very healthy for the kids too

Thanks Priya, Cilantro

Thanks for hosting this event n hope u too had a wonderful eid


Thanks Malar, Gulmohar, Vennilla

Anonymous said...

The information here is great. I will invite my friends here.

Thanks