Firni – rice pudding with a twist!

Someone gave me this recipe years ago, and as usual I've freelanced a bit, by reducing the quantity of sugar and making it a little more spicy.

1 litre milk
0.5 cup ground or flaked rice *
1 tbsp sugar or honey
1 tsp ground cardamom *
2 tbsp rosewater *
2 tbsp shelled pistachios *, toasted

Bring the milk to the boil, then take off heat and stir in the rice. Return to heat and boil for about 5 minutes, stirring all the time, until mixture thickens. Remove from heat and stir in the sugar, cardamom and rosewater. Pour into dessert dishes and sprinkle a few pistachios on each. Serve chilled or warm.

* You can obtain these ingredients from Indian grocery shops, such as the wonderful Bharat in Belconnen.