The Kheer that represents Buddha Purnima

Buddha Purnima celebrates the birthday of Lord Buddha. It is also a memory of his enlightenment and death. It's the most sacred day in the Buddhist calendar. Despite the fact that Buddhists view each full moon as sacred, the moo during the month of Vaisakh has extraordinary importance in light of the fact that on this day the Buddha was born, attained enlightenment (nirvana), and achieved parinirvana (nirvana-after-death of the body) when he passed on. The dharma chakra or dharma wheel is an image frequently seen during Buddha Purnima. It is a wooden wheel with eight spokes. The wheel symbolizes Buddha's teaching on the path to enlightenment. The eight spokes represent the eightfold way of Buddhism. Buddhism, like other religions, also teaches peace, tolerance, kindness, and compassion. Buddhists accept that life is in constant motion and that through good deeds we can shift the direction of life. Buddhism accepts that we get what we give, and the essence of karma.

Activities including prayer meets, sermons, religious discourses, recitation of Buddhist sacred text, group meditation, processions, and worship of the statue of Buddha are a part of this festival. A few temples display a small statue of Buddha as a child. The sculpture is set in a bowl filled with water and decorated with flowers. Devotees who visit the temple, pour water over the statue. This represents a pure and fresh start.

On Buddha Purnima, individuals dress in white garments and give out kheer (a rice pudding). As per legend, a lady named Sujata once offered Gautam Buddha kheer on his birthday and it has since become a practice. Buddhists celebrate by making an exemplary Indian kheer and offering it to individuals less fortunate than themselves. So, This Buddha Purnima, we hope the pandemic doesn't stop you from caring, sharing, and preparing this heavenly delight!

INGREDIENTS

1 tablespoon ghee

Seeds from 6 green cardamom pods, crushed in a mortar and pestle

¼ cup short grain rice

3 cups whole milk

½ – ¾ cup sugar

½ cup whipping cream

2 teaspoons rosewater

Large handful of unsalted pistachios and a large pinch of saffron threads to garnish

METHOD

1. Heat the ghee or oil in a heavy pot, and add the crushed cardamom seeds. Gently stir for about 30 seconds, then add the rice and stir to coat it with the ghee and cardamom.

2. Toast the rice for about 1 minute, then add the whole milk and 1/2 cup sugar. Cook, stirring hard, on a low heat until the sugar dissolves, about 2 – 3 minutes, then taste and add the remaining 1/4 cup sugar if you like your kheer sweeter.

3. Bring the kheer mixture to a boil, then turn down the heat and simmer for about 30 – 45 minutes, stirring every so often, until the mixture is thick and creamy

4. Stir in the whipping cream and cook very gently for an additional 10 minutes. Stir in the rosewater.

5. Take off the heat and serve warm or cold, garnished with a few chopped pistachios and saffron threads

So, this Buddha Purnima, celebrate with Milky Mist Products to bring out the kheer's delicate, smooth, gently spiced taste, and the wonderfully fragrant aroma with rice adding an exquisite textural perspective to the generally creamed consistency.