Dessert of the Desert: Lauki ki Kheer

This Sunday, a little of Rajasthan on my platter...a very common yet easy dessert recipe from the land of deserts...So here we go with the Lauki ki Kheer recipe:

Ingredients:

1. Lauki (bottle gourd): 250 gm, finely grated
2. Milk: 8 to 10 large cups
3. Khoaa Kheer: 100 gm
4. Sugar: as per requirement
5. Ghee: 2 to 3 tablespoons
6. Powdered Rice : 5 to 6 tablespoons
8. Rosewater: 2 tablespoons
9. Cashew and Almond for garnishing

Method:

1. Soak powdered rice in a little water.
2. Meanwhile, boil the grated bottlegourd in 1 to 1.5 cups of water. Drain the remaining water and keep the   boiled bottle gourd aside.
3. Heat ghee in a pan and stir in the soaked powdered rice for a few minutes.
4. Now add boiled bottle gourd and milk and stir continuously keeping on low flame. Keep on stirring till all ingredients mix well and the bottle gourd becomes tender enough.
5. Now add Khoaa Kheer and sugar and mix well. Stir for a few more minutes.
6.  Sprinkle rosewater and remove from flame.
7. Garnish with dried fruits and rose petals (though I missed out on the latter)to bring that royal flavor.

PS: Serve it chilled in a plain earthen bowl to relish the raw effect of the Desert from the Land of the Rajas :) :P