Sweet Sabudana (Sago) Kheer Recipe
Sabudana Kheer or Sago Kheer is the most common type of sweet and delicious food served during the fasting period. This sabudana kheer recipe here is super easy and quick, made in just 30 minutes from soaked sabudana which is usually consumed during the fasting season like Navratri. Serve at a dinner party on special occasions or make it as a post dinner dessert. This is an Indian dessert recipe that you just won’t be able to resist!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Sabudana (tapioca or pearl sago)
- 4 cups (1 liter) Milk
- 4 tablespoons Sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon Cardamom Powder (Elaichi)
- 4-5 Saffron strands(kesar), dissolved in 1 tablespoon Milk
- 2 tablespoons sliced Almonds (optional)
- 1/2 cup Water
Directions
- Wash sabudana in water and drain them.
- Soak them in 1/2 cup water for 2 hours. They will absorb almost all water and their size will increase. If you want to use large size sabudana, then soak them in 1 cup water for at least 5 hours before cooking.
- Heat the milk in a heavy bottomed pan over medium flame.
- When milk comes to boil, add soaked sabudana.
- Add sugar and stir well until it dissolves completely.
- Cook them until they turn transparent and soft or for around 10-15 minutes.
- Make sure to stir continuously.
- Reduce heat to low and add cardamom powder and dissolved saffron.
- Stir continuously and cook until milk turns thick. It will take approx 5-7 minutes.
- Turn off the flame and transfer prepared sabudana kheer to a serving bowl.
- Garnish it with sliced almonds and serve warm or chilled.
Tips
When kheer cools down it will become thick as sabudana will absorb almost all milk. If you want to serve it chilled, then add 1/2 cup milk and mix well before serving.
Health Benefits Of Sabudana
- Provides energy One of the main reasons why sabudana is a must-have food during Navratri fasting is it provides the body with energy . Some people break their fast with sabudana khichdi or pudding to give their body instant energy. Also, sago porridge is effectively known to treat excess bile as it provides a cooling effect to reduce the body’s heat while you are on a fast.
- Aids in muscle growth If you are a vegetarian, sabudana is a great source of protein which is required for the growth of muscles, repairs damaged cells and tissues and also help in cell growth . Apart from muscle growth, this comfort food also lets you gain physical strength. So vegetarians, you can start eating sabudana for your daily protein intake. Also, if you want to build muscles sabudana can be a great food to have as a pre and post workout snack.
- Supports weight gain If you want to weight gain, sabudana are the right food as they contain good amounts of carbohydrates and calories. Around 100 grams of sabudana contain 88.69 grams carbohydrates and 358 calories. Eating more calories than what your body needs will make you gain weight. As sabudana is a starchy food, you will gain weight easily.
- Lowers blood pressure Sabudana contains significant amounts of potassium which is known to keep your blood pressure under control. This mineral acts as a vasodilator which works by relaxing the tension in the blood vessels and open them up. This promotes healthy blood flow through the blood vessels, as a result, blood pressure is lowered and there is less strain in the heart.
- Strengthens bones Although the mineral content in tapioca pearls is limited, they have calcium, magnesium and iron. All these minerals help in the creation of bone tissues which strengthens bone mineral density, prevents arthritis and osteoporosis . Have a bowl of sabudana khichdi daily to maintain bone health and improve bone flexibility.
- Non-allergic in nature Tapioca or sabudana is free of gluten, nuts and grains so people who are sensitive to gluten, having celiac disease and nut allergies will not have a problem consuming this food . You can use tapioca flour instead of refined white flour as the latter contains gluten. Tapioca flour is considered the best alternative to white flour
