Nolen Gurer Payesh(Rice pudding with palm jaggery)

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 ltr Whole Milk
• 2/3 cup GobindoBhog Rice /Basmati Rice
• 1/2 teaspoon Ghee(enough to smear the rice with)
• as needed Raisins (a fistful soaked in water)
• 3-4 Bay leaves
• 2 cups Khejur Gur or Palm Date jaggery
• 6-8 broken cashews

Steps

1. Wash the rice, drain the water and then smear the rice with a little ghee
2. Pour Milk in a boiling pan, usually a deep heavy bottomed pan.
3. Add the Bay leaves
4. When the Milk come to a boil add the rice.
5. Reduce heat and cook the rice covered
6. Stir intermittently and check if the rice is done.
7. You kind of have to keep stirring frequently else the milk might scald the bottom of the pan as it thickens.
8. By the time the Milk has thickened to the right consistency, the rice should have cooked to perfection as well
9. Take the Paayesh off heat and add the Khejur Gur after 5 mins and stir well(adding jaggery while cooking, may split/spoil the milk)
10. Finish by adding raisins and cashews
11. Serve warm or chilled,as per your taste preferances