CELEBRITY CHEF DR KAVIRAJ KHIALANI
Festive season is upon us, and what better way to celebrate than with sweets that delight the heart as much as the taste buds? Whether you’re a fan of classic recipes or eager to explore innovative twists, Diwali 2025 is the perfect opportunity to create memorable culinary experiences for family, friends, and food lovers.
As a Celebrity Master Chef, I believe in making festive cooking easy, enjoyable, and enchanting — using few ingredients, minimal time, and a dash of creativity. While we indulge in these treats, we can also be mindful of sugar, calories, and balance, ensuring that the festivities are both joyful and health-conscious.
Here are a few of my favorite kheer-based recipes, each offering a unique twist for this Diwali:
CHAWAL KI NUTKHUT KHEER
Ingredients
Milk- 750 ml
Basmati rice- 1cup
Green cardamom- ¼ tsp powdered
Sugar- as per taste
Ghee-1 tsp
Raisins- 2 tsp chopped
Almonds- 2 tsp chopped
Mava- 2-3 tsp grated optional
Rose water- 2 tsp
Condensed milk- 2-3 tbsp.
Saffron- 4-5 strands
Method
- Prepare and set up the ingredients for the nutty rice kheer recipe.
- Start with boiling of the milk, add green cardamom powder and simmer it for 4-5 mins.
- Add the rice which is cooked/ boiled and mix it well into the milk mixture.
- Sometimes we also add a little mava into this kheer recipe to add more richness, add in little ghee as well into your kheer for the festive flavor.
- As an option we can also add a little condensed milk into the kheer recipe for an added creamy texture and taste as well.
- 6 Simmer the kheer for around 15- 20 mins, add in the nuts and mix well. Allow to reduce to the correct texture as desired, add in rose water.
- Dish out the kheer into serving bowls, garnish with assorted dry fruits as per choice and availability and allow to chill for 30- 45 mins. This can be served warm as well.
KHAJOOR AUR AKHROAT WALI KHEER
Ingredients
Milk- 750 ml
Sugar- as per taste
Jaggery- can be used as an option
Brown rice- 1 cup, cooked and crushed
Cinnamon powder-1/4 tsp
Ghee- 1-2 tsp
Walnuts-2-3 tsp chopped
Raisins- 2-3 tsp chopped
Dates- 6- 8 no, chopped or puree
Dark chocolate- ¼ cup grated
Assorted fresh fruits- 1 cup, kiwi, strawberry, cherries etc
Crushed digestive biscuits- ½ cup
Method
- Prepare all the ingredients for the recipe as listed.
- Start with boiling the milk and reducing it a little.
- Add in the crushed cooked brown rice, little sugar if desired or use jaggery/ dates as well to balance.
- Add in a little pure ghee and simmer the kheer for around 6-8 mins.
- Check the kheer for texture and consistency as it starts getting thick and coating types.
- Dish out the kheer into serving bowls and garnish with assorted nuts like walnuts, raisins, almonds etc and serve the delicious kheer warm or chilled.
MAKHANE AUR BADAM KI KHEER
Ingredients
Milk- 750 ml
Sugar- as per taste
Green cardamom powder-1/4 tsp
Condensed milk-1/4 cup
Makhanas/ lotus seeds- 1 cup lightly toasted
Rose water-1-2 tsp
Almond paste- 2-3 tsp
Sliced almonds- 1-2 tsp
Apricots / dates- as desired can be added
Dried rose petals- 2-3 tsp for garnish
Method
- Prepare all the ingredients required for the recipe.
- Work on the milk to start with, boil, simmer and reduce a little.
- Add in the green cardamom, sweetener as per taste and mix.
- Now add in the makhanas and almond paste and simmer for 4-6 mins.
- Add condensed milk for a creamier/richer taste and texture.
- Add in few nuts and simmer the kheer for 3-4 mins more.
- Dish out the makhana badam kheer into small serving cups/ dessert bowls and garnish with nuts/ rose petals and serve warm or chilled.
PHALDAARI KHEER
Ingredients
Milk- 750 ml
Sugar- as per taste
Green cardamom powder-1/4 tsp
Mava- ¼ cup grated
Condensed milk-1/4 cup
Rice paste- 2-3 tbsp.
Saffron- 8-10 strands
Almonds-1-2 tsp sliced
Cashews- 1-2 tsp sliced
Raisins- 1-2 tsp sliced
Cherries- 2-3 tsp sliced
Kiwi / strawberries- ¼ cup cut
Pineapple/ apple/ pear- ½ cup cut
Chocolate chips- 1-2 tsp garnish
Method
- Prepare all the ingredients for the kheer recipe and keep them ready.
- Start by boiling the milk and reducing a little. Add in sugar to taste.
- Now add in the rice paste, green cardamom powder and allow to simmer and cook, keep stirring until the mixture gets nice and thick.
- Add in the assorted nuts, simmer for 15-20 mins or until the kheer gets a nice creamy texture and is cooked up well.
- It is now time to turn off the flame and cool down the kheer a little and then add in chocolate chips/ white chocolate or dark chocolate can be used.
- This dessert is good to layer into a pudding dish/ glass bowls/ dessert glasses through which the fruits will be an added visual delight as well.
- Layer the kheer with fresh fruits, dry fruits as per choice and allow to chill for 1-2 hours and serve.
RABDI AUR KHEER KA MILAN
Ingredients
Milk- 750 ml
Seviyan- 1 cup semi- roasted
Ghee- 2-3 tsp
Green cardamom powder-1/4 tsp
Mava- ¼ cup grated
Sugar to taste
Condensed milk- optional
Raisins- 2-3 tsp chopped
Cashews- 2-3 tsp chopped
Rose water-1-2 tsp
Dates- 3-4 chopped
Rabdi- 1 cup prepared and chilled
Chocolate chips- ¼ cup
Assorted nuts- 2-3 tbsp. For garnish
Optional ingredients to add in for more color/flavor:
Jalebi/ sweet boondi/ motichoor ladoo/ mava pedha
Method
- Prepare all the ingredients and keep ready to start with the kheer recipe.
- Start with the milk and boil, add in the green cardamom powder, sugar to taste and mix well.
- Saute the seviyan in a little ghee to a nice light brown and nutty color and add it into the milk and allow to simmer and cook for 8-10 mins.
- Add in some of the nuts and continue cooking for 4-6 mins, stirring occasionally.
- Check for the texture and sweetness and adjust it accordingly. The sweet will now be allowed to cool slightly.
- I usually prefer to layer this dessert with a combination of ingredients starting with the seviyan kheer at the base, a few fresh fruits, layer of indian mithai options as listed above, the chilled rabdi and some dry fruits on top.
- Prepare the sweet in cups/ bowls/ glasses and allow to chill for 1-2 hours and serve the delicious festive sweet.
SHUBH DIPAVALI KI KHEER
Ingredients
Milk- 750 ml
Sugar- as per taste
Green cardamom powder- ¼ tsp
Lauki / bottle gourd- 250 gms, peeled, grated
Ghee- 2-3 tsp
Mava- 100 gms, grated
Pistachios- 2-3 tsp chopped
Raisins-2-3 tsp chopped
Condensed milk- ¼ cup
Sooji/ rava- ½ cup
Coconut milk- ½ cup thick
Method
- Prepare all the ingredients for this amazing kheer recipe.
- Start with boiling the milk and simmer it, add cardamom powder.
- Dry roast sooji for a couple of minutes add grated Lauki with a little ghee and sugar for a few mins.
- Add mava into the Lauki, condensed milk to taste and mix.
- Combine the Lauki mixture into the milk mixture and adjust the sweetness.
- Cook the kheer on a medium flame stirring occasionally for a few minutes until it gets nice and thick like custard.
- Add nuts and serve it warm/cold garnish with nuts.
This Diwali, let your kheer creations be a celebration of tradition, flavor, and love. May every spoonful bring warmth, sweetness, and cherished memories with your loved ones.
Wishing you a very Happy & Prosperous Diwali 2025!
