July 2007 Archives

Recipe: Bellam Paramannam (Sweet Rice Pudding)

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Here's something a little different for a pieKnits recipe- a deviation from my usual baking. The result of a surplus of leftover rice and a craving to play with some Indian ingredients (and the mortar & pestle, weee). After discovering the excess rice, Rice pudding is what immediately came to mind or the more common Indian version Kheer (which is actually where the English rice pudding came from). After some searching I came across this southern Telugu variation from my Mr. PieKnits home state. I've modified it for taste and to fit with what I had, such as the previously cooked rice. So when you end up with way more rice than you intended for a meal, don't throw it out- it can make this rich creamy dessert.

Bellam Paramannam

Usually this recipe calls for cooking rice in milk and water. Since mine was already cooked the previous day I only needed to reconstitute it in straight milk. Whole milk is really desirable here but we only had 2% so to add more thickening power and milk flavor I sprinkled in some evaporated dry milk we had on hand as well. I've added in parenthesis substitutes for some of the Indian ingredients but I really have to say go to an Indian store and try some (especially the Jaggery)! Actually I'd recommend anyone, making this recipe or not, to check out an Indian grocer if you are fortunate enough to have one near by. They are charming and a feast for the eyes; simply peruse the aisles crammed with a great assortment of items. You will find something intriguing, I promise.

Bellam Paramannam
  • 2 cups cooked rice (mine was leftover Basmati)
  • 1 ½ cups milk (preferably at least 2%, whole is best)
  • 2-3 tablespoons evaporated dry milk (optional)
  • 1 cup jaggery (or sub 3/4 cup brown sugar)
  • 3/4 cup water
  • ½ cup cashews
  • ½ cup golden raisins
  • 2-3 tablespoons ghee (clarified butter or regular butter)
  • 4 cardamom pods - seeds powdered (or 1/2 teaspoon pre-ground cardamom )
Reconstitue the cooked rice in the milk by stirring constantly over medium-low heat until mushy tender. Stir in evaporated dry milk if desired.

In another saucepan, disolve the jaggery (or brown sugar) in the water and simmer to form a simple syrup.

Add rice to jaggery syrup. Mix and cook on medium-low heat.

Meanwhile, in a small skillet, heat ghee over medium heat. First fry cashews and then golden raisins to light gold color and the raisines should puff up. Add the ghee, fried cashews and golden raisins to the rice-jaggery mixture.

Simmer on medium-low heat stirring occassionaly, until it thickens and comes together.

Right before removing from heat, stir in cardamom powder and mix thoroughly. Serve warm or cold.
8 Comments |

This and that

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Yum
HipKnits silk

The yarn for my HipKnits design arrived, pretty no? 100% silk goodness, I'm looking forward to getting started on this one.
Plugging along on deadline knits but mostly non-bloggable and semi-bloggable projects make for, well rather un-interesting blogging. (I know, surprising right?)

When in CA last week I did manage to pick up this cute handmade coin purse. You gotta love stumbling into a crafty-handmade store when on vacation. So for now, some more photos


Enjoy your weeknd and Harry Potter reading!

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I have a confession to make

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I cannot knit scarves.

Sadly it's true; I apparently lack the patience to knit a long repeating rectangle. My pathetic first ever garter stitch scarf attempt is proof of this. I made it to about 4 inches and then went "OK, that's enough of that." Now with the new Harry Potter movie/book coming out this has been the cause of much angst as I embrace my dorkieness and totally wanted a scarf to wear. Now I know I could probably buy one but I'm even worse about buying something I could make. So I set to brain storming and then it came to me.

hp_fingerscarf.jpg
The Harry Potter In-a-Hurry Scarf

Finger knitting - the ultimate in painless knitting! I blogged on this super easy method before and it makes a nice hair wrap/skinny scarf. I might also mention that I have no time to knit a gigantic stockinette scarf as well so this was perfect. I immediately knew trying to work in tons of ends was not an option either and so I cheated. I cut strips to the size I wanted and tightly knotted the ends together trimming any excess. Hey this isn't an heirloom. I usually adhere to the 'No Knots' decree but with a few exceptions. (Such as in the String bag, really how the heck else would you join a new ball in that pattern?) Also got to sport my sweet Harry and The Potters shirt, which I highly recommend you see if they are playing in your area- hilarious.

hp_fingerscarf2.jpg

I solemnly swear I am up to no good.

14 Comments |

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About this Archive

This page is an archive of entries from July 2007 listed from newest to oldest.

June 2007 is the previous archive.

August 2007 is the next archive.

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