Ganesh Chaturthi: Try Chef Sanjeev Kapoor’s Apple Kheer Recipe

Ganesh Chaturthi is just around the corner, and people in most parts of India are already in a festive mood. The 10-day celebrations mark the birth of Lord Ganesha. It is a festival that is celebrated with joy and fervour in many parts of India, and especially in Maharashtra. This year, Ganesh Chaturthi is all set to commence on August 31. Also known as ‘Vighnharta’, devotees bring the idol of Lord Ganesha home, perform pujas, and adorn the idol with new clothes, and offer sumptuous food. Ganapati is known to love sweets, especially the sweet dumplings called modak. 

During the festivities, modaks are made across Maharashtra in copious amounts, as it is said that modak was a favourite of Bappa, so much so that he is also fondly called ‘Modakpriya’. But that’s not the only sweet treat you could make for the festival. It is all about indulging in the best of what Indian cuisine has to offer. Even though modak is the star of the show, you can also offer laddoos, halwas, puran poli, and kheer. 

A rice and milk pudding that can make anyone with a sweet tooth quiver with excitement. Kheer comes loaded with the goodness of milk and nuts. But we aren’t here to tell you about the usual recipe. We bring you an interesting Apple Kheer recipe. It’s a delicious dessert that combines apple and milk. The recipe includes grated apple cooked in ghee, which is cooled and added into the rabri at the end, along with nuts to prevent it from curdling. The best part? This is absolutely free of sugar.  

This Ganesh Chaturthi, try the apple kheer recipe shared by Chef Sanjeev Kapoor.

Preparation time: 15-20 mins 

Cooking time: 15-20 mins 

Servings: 4 

Ingredients: 

• 3 medium red apples 
• 1 ltr low fat milk 
• 2 tbsps ghee 
• 4 tbsps sugar-free green powder 
• ¼ tsp green cardamom powder 
• 8-10 almonds (blanched, peeled, and sliced) 
• 8-10 pistachios (blanched, peeled and sliced)

Method: 

• Heat milk in a deep non-stick pan and bring to a boil. Simmer until it’s reduced to half. 
• Peel and grate the apples, and set aside. 
• Heat ghee in a non-stick shallow pan.
• Add grated apple and sauté for 4-5 minutes. 
• Transfer to a plate and allow to cool. 
• Add the powder and green cardamom powder to milk and cook on low heat for 2-3 minutes. 
• Allow this to cool down to room temperature. 
• Add cooked apples, almonds and pistachios and mix well. 
• Transfer into serving bowls and serve.

Pro tip:

 To avoid curdling of the kheer, allow the reduced milk and apple mixture to cool completely before mixing.