Kheer kamla/Kamla lebur payesh / Orange kheer

Kheer kamla, kamla lebur payesh or orange kheer, whichever way you put it, is a very flavourful and yummy dessert,very unique to West Bengal. 

At times,when oranges are abundant in the market and you have had enough of them raw, you might,sometimes think,what shall I do with these oranges now ? This recipe will come very handy at such times. Just give it a try,you will love it's taste and aroma.

This recipe does not require too many ingredients or too much of effort. The two most important things to keep in mind are: 

1.select oranges,that are fresh, juicy and sweet . Otherwise your kheer may taste bitter at times,if the oranges are not sweet.,

2. Careful peeling of the segments. I will demonstrate the peeling procedure by the help of pictures. I assure, you will be able to make this kheer easily. 

I made this kheer with 2 litres of full cream milk and 4 oranges. Other ingredients you will need are, sugar according to taste and a handful of chopped cashew or mixed nuts and about a tbsp of fine aromatic rice.

Bring the milk to boil in a deep vessel, on high flame. When it starts boiling, reduce the flame to medium and keep stirring occasionally. After the milk is reduced to 3/4th, wash the rice (basmati or gobindobhog) and mix it in the milk.

Let the rice get cooked in milk. You have to reduce the milk to a little less than half. 

In the meantime,peel the oranges and keep aside.

Separate each segment of the oranges, with the help of a knife, peel the tissue like cover from them and also remove the seeds. You only need the pulpy part present inside. If needed,with the knife, remove the tissue cover from the lower part of the segments. Make small pieces of the pulp and keep aside.

 Keep stirring the milk and rice. Check if the rice is fully cooked.When the rice is cooked,add sugar according to your taste. Let it boil for a few minutes. 

When the kheer reaches desired consistency, add the cashew / nuts,switch the gas off and keep aside,covered. Let it cool. 

When it is completely cold,add the orange pieces and mixed with a gentle stir.

Cover and refrigerate. 

Your orange kheer is ready. You can serve it chilled. My recommendation is to keep it refrigerated for at least 10/12 hours,so that,the flavour of orange gets nicely infused into the kheer and gives it the tangy sweetness that makes it unique.

Enjoy your kamla lebur payesh / kheer.

Note :  Traditionally,this recipe is made without rice. I have added the rice in order to give it a little volume. You can omit the rice from the recipe,if you wish.