Healthy Barley Kheer: A Delicious & Nutritious Indian Dessert

40 minutes

901 reads

4 from 3 votes

About Healthy Barley Kheer: A Delicious & Nutritious Indian Dessert

This Barley Kheer recipe offers a delightful twist on a classic Indian dessert, making it healthier and more appealing to children and adults alike. Barley, a nutritional powerhouse, adds a subtly sweet and chewy texture, while the traditional spices create a comforting warmth.
Unlike many creamy desserts, this version uses a balanced blend of milk and coconut milk for a lighter feel, without compromising on flavor. It's surprisingly easy to prepare, requiring minimal cooking time and simple ingredients.
Perfect for a special occasion or a healthy weeknight treat, this Barley Kheer is a delicious way to incorporate wholesome grains into your diet. The recipe is easily adaptable; feel free to experiment with your favorite nuts and dried fruits!
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Recipe Time & More

Prep10 minutes
Cook30 minutes
Total40 minutes
Calories361 kcal
Serves2
Recipe TasteSweet

Ingredients
 

Dairy & Liquids

Grains & Sweetener

  • 1/2 cup Pearl Barley rinse thoroughly before using
  • 1/4 cup Jaggery grated or finely chopped

Spices & Flavorings

Optional Additions

  • 1/4 cup Raisins
  • 1/4 cup Fruits chopped apricots, cranberries, dried, etc., mixed
  • 1/4 cup Coconut unsweetened, shredded
  • 1/4 tsp Cinnamon optional, for extra warmth, ground
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Instructions
 

Prepare the Barley

  • Soak 1/2 cup of pearl barley in 1/2 cup of warm water for at least 15 minutes, or until softened.

Cook the Kheer

  • In a medium saucepan, bring 1 cup of milk to a gentle simmer. Add the soaked barley and stir frequently to prevent sticking. Reduce heat to low and continue to simmer, stirring occasionally, until the barley is tender (about 20-25 minutes).

Add the Flavor

  • Stir in the grated jaggery, cardamom powder, and optional ground cinnamon. Continue to cook for another 5 minutes, or until the jaggery dissolves completely and the mixture slightly thickens.

Finishing Touches

  • Stir in the coconut milk, raisins, dried fruits, and shredded coconut. Cook for 1 minute more. Remove from heat and let it sit for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

Serve & Enjoy

  • Serve warm or chilled. Garnish with extra shredded coconut or chopped nuts, if desired.

Recipe Notes

Expert Tips for the Perfect Barley Kheer

  • For a richer flavor, use full-fat milk and coconut milk.
  • Adjust the amount of jaggery to your preferred level of sweetness.
  • If you don’t have jaggery, you can substitute with brown sugar or honey, but the flavor will be slightly different.
  • To enhance the creamy texture, you can blend a portion of the cooked kheer before adding the coconut milk.

Please appreciate the author by voting!

4 from 3 votes

Recipe Nutrition

Calories: 361kcalCarbohydrates: 44gProtein: 12gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 31mgSodium: 105mgPotassium: 602mgFiber: 4gSugar: 26gVitamin A: 422IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 337mgIron: 2mg

Geeta Biswas
Geeta Biswas

Are you missing old, traditional recipes? I, Geeta Biswas would love to share all those different tasty and traditional recipes. Most of my recipes are simple and very creative as I try to add twist and easy steps to prepare each and every recipe.

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3 Comments

4 from 3 votes

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