Kheer (Indian Rice Pudding)

I got this recipe off of an Indian dessert recipe page, and adapted it to make it vegan. It is perfect, I am a big lover of kheer and this is the perfect recipe. Enjoy!

• Ready In: 35 mins
• Serves: 4-6

Ingredients

• 1⁄2 cup basmati rice
• 2  cups water
• 2  quarts  almond milk
• 5  green cardamom pods, whole
• 1 1⁄4 cups sugar or 1⁄2 cup honey
• 1⁄4 cup  blanched slivered almond
• 1⁄2 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1⁄4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 2  tablespoons rose water
• 1  pinch salt

Directions

1. Wash the rice and boil in the water over medium heat for 5 to 6 minutes, until the rice is one quarter done. Drain in a colander.
2. In a saucepan, bring the almond milk and cardamom pods to a boil over medium heat. Add the rice and cook for 30 to 40 minutes, until the rice is soft and the milk is very thick. Stir occasionally at first and then constantly when the milk begins to thicken, to prevent the ingredients from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
3. Add the sugar or honey (if you are not making a fully vegan version), almonds, ground cardamom, and nutmeg and cook for another 5 minutes, stirring constantly.
4. Remove from the heat and set aside. Sprinkle with the rose water and mix, you may add more rose water if you desire.
5. Serve warm or chilled in dessert bowls.