Navratra Special ---- Lauki Ki Kheer [Bottle Gourd Dessert]

The Holy Navratra has begun and will spread over a period of 9 days.People observe fasting partly or for the whole period.Such people depend on fruits as well as foods,desserts or vegetables, permissible for fasting.In previous posts i have given recipes like sweet dish  Makhane Ki Kheer and salty Sabudana Khichdi,which are ideal for fasting and nutritious too.Lauki ki Kheer [Bottle Gourd Dessert] is another such item.The loki is well known for its health benefits.

 Ingredients 

• Lauki [bottle gourd]  1/2 kg
• Milk  01 lit.
• Sugar  200 gm
• Cardamom powder  1/2 tsp 
• Almond  10 pieces 
• Pista [pistachios] 10 pieces
• Cashew nut  10 pieces
• Grated dry coconut  1/4 cup 
• Raisin  01 tbsp
• Pure ghee 01 tbsp

Serves 06 people.

Preparation

1.Wash the loki,peel off the lauki,cut into 3"-4" size,take out the seeds and grate it.

2.Squeeze it so that water is drained out totally.

2.Cut the almonds,cashewnut,& pista length wise into fine pieces.

Method

• Take half of milk in a heavy bottomed pan.Boil it till it becomes thick to almost further half.
  

• Take another pan.Heat ghee and add squeezed loki.Saute till it become completely dry & turns light pink.Add other half of milk.Cook on low flame till milk & lauki are mixed well.Add sugar,mix and saute again till mixture turns thick again.
• Add the thick milk of first pan to second pan.Mix well,then close the flame.
• Add part of dry fruits and cardamom powder.Mix.
• The lauki ki kheer is ready.Fridge it.

Garnish it with remaining dry fruits before serving cool.