Aliv Kheer

Aliv Kheer in Marathi

serving: 1
Time: 10 minutes (excluding soaking time)

New moms require food, rich in vitamins and minerals. Aliv (Watercress seeds) is a good source of vitamins C, B1, B6, K, E, Iron, Calcium, Magnesium, Manganese, Zinc, and Potassium. Aliv helps in reducing postpartum back-ache. It also improves digestion.
Aliv is very healthy to human body, it can be eaten to reduce weakness and to treat anemia.
Note: Pregnant women should not eat Aliv during pregnancy as it can increase the heat in body.

Ingredients:
1 cup Milk + 1/4 cup more milk for soaking Aliv
1 to 1 and 1/2 tbsp Aliv seeds
3 to 4 Almonds
1 Dried Date (Tip 2)
Sugar to taste (approx 1 to 2 tsp)
Pinch of Cardamom powder

Method:
1) In a small bowl, soak Aliv in 1/4 cup milk. In another small bowl, soak almonds and dried date in little water or milk (Important tip 1). Soak Aliv, dried date andalmond for atleast 4 hours.
2) After 4 to 5 hours aliv and dried date will be nicely swollen. Almonds will also be nicely soaked.
3) Peel the almonds and make thin slices. De-seed the dried date and chop nicely.
4) Add 1 cup milk in a small deep pan. Turn on the heat. Add soaked aliv seeds, sliced almonds, chopped dried dates and sugar. Simmer for 3 to 4 minutes. Add cardamom powder and mix nicely.
Serve hot.

Tips:
1) If the climate is hot and humid, milk might get spoiled if kept outside. In that case, soak aliv seeds, almonds and dried dates in water.
2) Powder of dried dates can be used instead of whole one. Make powder of dried dates (around 300 to 400 grams) and keep in the container. Put a spoonful powder in boiling milk along with aliv seeds.
3) Water used for soaking almonds and dried date and almond peels are good health. Although almond peels are little chewy, they are packed with fiber and antioxidants. Eat them immediately after peeling and drink the water as well.
4) Add Pistachio, cashews, raisins to make it more rich.
5) Aliv seeds are light weight, hence float on the water. Therefore, After adding to the water/milk, stir with the spoon. So that they will soak evenly.