Lauki Kheer Recipe (Doodhi Kheer)
Lauki kheer is a rich Indian rice-pudding-style dessert made by simmering grated bottle gourd in milk until it turns soft, sweet, and velvety. Make this quick festive treat in under 45 minutes using my easy recipe.
Servings: 4 people
Ingredients
- 1 medium lauki (bottle gourd)
- 1 tablespoon ghee
- 4 cups whole milk (full-fat)
- 1 pinch saffron strands
- ½ cup sugar or to taste
- 1 teaspoon rose water
- ½ teaspoon cardamom powder
- 4 tablespoons slivered nuts I used almonds and cashews
Instructions
- Prep the lauki. Wash, peel, and halve the bottle gourd lengthwise. Scoop out the seeds if they've matured, then grate the flesh using the medium holes of a box grater. Measure out 2 cups of grated lauki.
- Sauté the lauki. Heat ghee in a heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat. Add the grated lauki and cook for 4–5 minutes, stirring often, until the raw smell disappears and the shreds turn slightly translucent.
- Add the milk. Pour the milk and bring it to a boil, stirring frequently to prevent it from sticking or scorching at the bottom. Add saffron and mix well.
- Simmer and reduce. Lower the heat to medium and let the mixture simmer for 20–25 minutes, stirring every few minutes, until the milk reduces and thickens around the softened lauki. In a ready kheer, the milk should visibly reduce and coat the back of a spoon, and the grated lauki should be completely soft with no bite left. If it has not thickened to the right consistency, then cook for a few more minutes.
- Sweeten and flavor. Stir in the sugar, rose water, and cardamom powder. Cook for another 3–4 minutes until everything comes together into a glossy, pourable pudding.
- Finish and serve. Turn off the heat and mix in slivered nuts (almonds and cashews). Serve the kheer warm, or chill it for a few hours for an even creamier bite. You can garnish the kheer with more slivered nuts and dried rose petals.
Nutrition
Calories: 335kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 39mg | Sodium: 94mg | Potassium: 429mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 37g | Vitamin A: 397IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 308mg | Iron: 0.4mg
