Sesame Dark Chocolate Kheer

Ingredients

• 1 cup Royal® Basmati Rice
• 2 cups water (for cooking the rice)
• ¼ cup cacao powder
• ¼ cup toasted sesame oil
• 5 tablespoons maple syrup
• Sea salt, to taste
• 1 cup whole milk or oat milk
• 1 cup water
• White sesame seeds, for garnish
• Candied orange slivers, for garnish

Preparation

1.     Place the basmati rice and 2 cups of water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and cook until the rice is al dente, about 15–20 minutes.

2.     Meanwhile, combine the toasted sesame oil, cacao powder, maple syrup, and a pinch of sea salt in a blender. Blend until smooth.

3.     Add the chocolate-sesame mixture, milk, and the remaining 1 cup of water to the cooked rice. Cook over low heat, stirring gently, until the mixture comes to a gentle simmer and thickens to a creamy consistency, about 5–8 minutes.

4.     Serve warm, garnished with white sesame seeds and candied orange slivers.

Notes

• This recipe uses a raw blending technique to combine the chocolate and sesame oil, which helps reduce the overall cooking time.
• Substitute 3 tablespoons of white sugar for the 5 tablespoons of maple syrup, if desired.
• Substitute ¼ cup of melted semi-sweet chocolate for the ¼ cup of cacao powder for a richer flavor.

(Authentic Royal)