Khira gaintha

KHIRA GAINTHA

Khira gaintha is an authentic sweet dish from odisha. Odia people mostly eat rice. They prepare different dishes from rice. In all these dishes rice is used in different ways. In this dish rice paste is used to make small rice balls which is called as gaintha and then added to the thickened cardamom flavored milk. It is a very good dish for the growing kids as it provides a very good amount of carbohydrate, calcium and iron.

Ganesh chaturthi is nearby. People prepare lots of variety of sweets for deva. I too prepare lots of sweets for ganesha. Here is my first sweet dish as Prasad for ganapati maharaj.

Gobind bhog rice- 2/3cup

Sugar- 3 tbsp

Salt to taste

Water equal amount to the rice paste

Ghee- 1tbsp

Milk- 730ml

Sugar- 6 to 7tbsp

Salt to taste

Scarped coconut- 3 tbsp

Green cardamom- 2

Gobind bhog rice is best for this recipe.  You can use any flavouful rice as this unique flavor gives a kick to the dish.

Wash and clean rice properly and soak for 2 hours. After 5 hours put the rice in grinder jar add some water to make a smooth paste.

Take 3tbsp of rice paste from the above paste and keep aside. 

Measure the rice paste and take equal amount of water.

In a heavy bottom pan add water and sugar, salt and ghee to it. Let it boil and let the sugar melt. Then add rice paste and mix properly in low flame to make a soft dough. Remove from flame and allow it to cool down.

In the mean time keep the milk on flame and let it reduce a bit. Then add sugar, salt and cardamom to it. Also add scarped coconut to it and let it cook again.

Now knead the rice dough a bit. Grease your palm with ghee and make small oval shape balls out of it. Your Gainthas are ready.  Add these small balls to the already prepared milk. Let it cook for 5 to 6 mins. Now add the reserved rice paste and cook for 4 to 5 mins. It will help to thicken the milk bit more. Then switch off the gas and garnish with scarped coconut.

Serve cold after a satisfying meal. I bet it will satisfy your sweet tooth.