Rice Kheer

Many a times , days just fly off , and before we realise , the much awaited Shravaan Month is already here , and brought with it the first festival of the month...Nagpanchami!!
Live snakes or snake idols are worshipped and offered milk and lahya( form of puffed rice).

There are a lot of beliefs accociated with this festival. Many homes do not cook on this day,do not use knife and tawa. So unperishable meals like pooris and subjis are made a day in advance. Farmers do not plough their fields on this day. The motive maybe to prevent any kind of harm to the serpents.

There are a lot of legends for nagpanchami, but my grandma always narrated the legend of Lord Krishna: When playing with his cowherd friends, Lord Krishna's accidentally fell into the Yamuna river,when a terrible snake named Kalia came up .But Krishna was determined and caught the snake by neck. By then Kalia the snake realised ,it cant be a feat of an ordinary boy ,and surrendered and appologised and pleaded to be spared. Krishna made him promise to not harass anybody henceforth. Thus , nagpanchami celebrated the triumph of Lord Krishna over Kalia the serpant.
Also since this festival falls in the monsoons, when most of the serpents are forced out of their holes ,due to rain water , they are worshipped to prevent any mortality from snake bites. To maintain harmony and balance.

So a sweet offering it is , for Nagpanchami. And what better than Rice and Milk Kheer. Easy , quick and delicious.

Ingredients:

1/2 Cup Rice soaked for 1/2 hour
2 Cups Milk
1 Cup Sugar
1 -2 tbsp Condensed milk
1 tsp Cardomom Powder
Cashewnuts,Raisins and Saffron for garnish


Cook the soaked rice in pressure cooker with 11/4 cup water for 2-3 whisles.
Now, mash the rice slightly and add milk and place the vessel on a medium flame.
Add sugar and condensed milk and allow to simmer for 5 mins.Keep stirring continuously to prevent from burning at the bottom.
Add chopped nuts and mix.
Transfer in serving bowl and garnish with cashew and Saffron.