Kheer, also known as firni in some parts of the India Subcontinent, is a sweet pudding that is prepared by mixing milk and sugar and boiling them. Along with this, you can either add sweet corn, vermicelli, tapioca, wheat that is broken, rice or any other ingredient. After the preparation, it is flavored with almonds, cashew nuts, raisins, pistachios, saffron, raisins, nuts, or dry fruits. It is usually served at the start of a meal or a dessert at the end of a meal. The different varieties of kheer that can be seen are dudhpak, payasam, meetha bhaat, payasa, and many more. 

Uses and history of Kheer recipe in riuals 

The kheer recipe is extensively used in Hindu temples to serve payasam as prasad to the devotees. Also, it is served in many wedding functions in the Kerala community in India. The kheer originated as an important delicacy from the Muslim community. It is primarily served during festivals like Eid and Ramzan. This Islamic food culture spread across the Hindu culture and is widely prepared in Hindu weddings and their temples as well. The word kheer is derived from the Sanskrit word Ksheera, meaning milk. This word was borrowed into the Urdu culture as well. The other words used to describe kheer like payasam is derived from the Sanskrit word Payasam or Payasa, which is also called milk. When compared to the original kheer, payasam is less thick. 

Kheer Recipe

The East India version of the kheer, known as Payas or Kheeri in Odisha, originated close to 2000 years ago. The Odisha version of this sweet dish has more fruits in them. Most of the kheer dishes contain sugar in them. As an alternate, many states in India have started using jaggery to provide an alternate taste to the kheer. In Assam, cherries are added to the kheer recipe to provide a distinct pink colour to the dish. In Bangladesh, people prepare the dish using coconut milk, vermicelli, ketaki, and glutinous rice to get a sticky and creamy dessert. In a state called Gujarat, the kheer is also called dudhpak. The ingredients are almost the same but the process of cooking is slightly different. The dish is slightly dense and less thick when compared to the kheer. 

While many people argue that there is a difference between the firni and kheer, it is almost the same kind of dish. The type of rice used in preparing these dishes is slightly different. From the ancient history of this unique kheer recipe, it is clear how much this dish has evolved into a unique item for every household. It is tasty and is known to energize the taste buds of everyone. Also, it is one of the simplest desserts to be prepared at the kitchen.