I have had this recipe for Kheer Komola or Kamalalebu Kheer bookmarked for ages and have been waiting for an opportunity to try it. I finally made it to mark New Year’s eve, and shared this wonderful Bengali Orange Kheer with my family and friends as we ushered in the New Year.
This Santre ki Kheer is a great way to use juicy oranges that are available in plenty during winter. Infused with the subtle taste of orange, Kheer Komola is quite a change from the regular payasams we make at home. It was also quite a surprise for my family and friends who never quite expected to see orange used in Kheer.
Notes To Make a Delicious Orange Kheer
- Use juicy oranges to make this kheer as the juice adds a nice tang to this payesh.
- Do not add the orange segments to the milk while it is hot, else the milk will curdle.
- Let the kheer rest for at least an hour or two after it is made so that the flavour of orange is well-infused into this dessert.
- The flavour of orange is very subtle. If you want a stronger flavour, add about 1/4 cup orange juice after the milk has cooled.
- Do not reheat the Kheer Komola as the milk may curdle.
- Omit the saffron as well as the pistachios, if you so wish. I added just a bit for the lovely colour.
Other Lesser Known Kheer or Payasam Recipes
- Ksheerannam: Creamy, Saffron-flavoured Rice Kheer from Andhra
- Chak-Hao Amubi Kheer | Manipuri Black Rice Kheer | Forbidden Rice Pudding
- Chennar Payesh | Bengali Cottage Cheese Kheer | Paneer Kheer
- Nei Payasam | Sharkara Payasam: Temple Style Rice and Jaggery Kheer from Kerala
How to Make Kheer Komola | Bengali Orange Payesh
- Getting the Orange Segments Ready
- Peel 4 to 5 medium-sized oranges.
- Peel the segments as well and cut them in half. You should get about 1.5 cups of peeled orange segments.
- Set aside.
- Making the Santre ki Kheer
- Over medium flame, in a heavy-bottomed vessel, boil 1 litre milk. Stir constantly so that it does not spill over nor does it burn.
- Boil the milk till it reduces to approximately 2/3 litre.
- Turn off the heat.
- Add 1/4 cup sugar and 1 pinch saffron, and mix well.
- Let the milk cool till it is at room temperature, and then mix well. The soaked saffron will give the milk a lovely orange-yellow colour.
- Add 2 cups peeled and chopped orange segments and any juice that collects.
- Mix well and let the kheer rest for at least 2 hours so that the flavour of orange is infused into the kheer.
- Garnish with slice pistachios just before serving.
- Over medium flame, in a heavy-bottomed vessel, boil 1 litre milk. Stir constantly so that it does not spill over nor does it burn.
- You can serve Kheer Komola at room temperature (as I did) or then chilled.
Recipe for Kheer Komola | Bengali Orange Kheer | Santre ki Kheer
Kheer Komola | Bengali Orange Kheer | Santre ki Kheer
Kheer Komola is a wonderful Bengali payesh made with juicy oranges. Also called Kamlalebu Kheer, this subtly flavoured Bengali Orange Kheer is quite healthy as it uses minimal sugar and relies on orange and saffron for flavour.
Equipment
- 1 Heavy Bottomed Vessel (1.5 Litre Capacity)
- 1 Ladle
- 1 Bowl
Ingredients
- 1 Litre Milk (Full fat milk preferred)
- 2 Cups Orange (Peeled segments of 4 to 5 large oranges)
- 1/4 Cup Sugar
- 1 Pinch Saffron
- 1 tsp Pistachio (sliced, for garnish)
Instructions
- Over medium flame, boil 1 litre milk till it reduces to approximately 2/3 litre. Stir all the time to ensure it does not stick to the bottom and burn.
- Turn off the heat.
- Add 1/4 cup sugar and 1 pinch saffron, and mix well.
- Let the milk cool till it is at room temperature, and then mix well.The soaked saffron will give the milk a lovely orange-yellow colour.
- Add 2 cups peeled and chopped orange segments and any juice that collects.
- Mix well and let the kheer rest for at least 2 hours so that the flavour of orange infuses the payesh.
- Garnish with slice pistachios just before serving. You can serve this kheer at room temperature (as I did) or then chilled.
Nutrition
Calories: 165 kcalCarbohydrates: 24 gProtein: 6 gFat: 6 gSaturated Fat: 3 gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.2 gMonounsaturated Fat: 1 gCholesterol: 21 mgSodium: 65 mgPotassium: 370 mgFiber: 1 gSugar: 22 gVitamin A: 415 IUVitamin C: 32 mgCalcium: 236 mgIron: 0.1 mg
Sweet start for the year and on my wish list to try too. Wishing you a very happy new year.
Thank you, Vidya. 🙂
Being a bengali I never tried this. You give me the enthusiasm to make this. 🙂
Quite interesting and innovative kheer a must try dessert!!
Thank you. Kheer Komola is quite the hit in my home.