Badam Kheer

This is an awesome dessert made by simmering almond paste in milk & sugar. It has a different consistency from the normal payasam/kheer varieties and is served as a drink. You can serve it hot or cold. For the amount of almonds I have used, you can also increase the amount of milk. I wanted the almond flavour to dominate and hence used a little less milk. You can make this in less than half an hour to serve your surprise guests. Or even prepare in advance and store it in the fridge for planned parties. That way you could finish off one yummy dish, a day before.

Ingredients:
Almonds - 35 to 40 soaked in hot water
Milk - 3 cups
Sugar - half a cup
Saffron - few strands
Cashew nuts - 10 soaked in water (optional)

Method:
1) Peel the skin of almonds and grind along with cashews and a little milk.
2) Boil the milk and add the almond cashew paste. (Mix it with a little milk and add carefully avoiding lumps) Boil till the paste gets cooked. (You can also add some almond slivers)
3) Mix the sugar and simmer. Garnish with saffron

Refrigerate and serve cold. It tastes yummy when hot too. But serve after sometime for the flavours to blend well.