Only downside of living abroad along with being away from your family is missing on those delicious mouth watering Indian desserts!!!
I wont say we dont have access to them, we do however those are something really different than what we are used to eating from local mithaiwalas back in India..!
So in order to satiate the cravings we either have to get those packaged (dont know when) products while compromising on taste as well as quantity for those being really expensive or we have to get into our kitchen apron and make one our selves...! I somehow always happen to choose the latter option...:)
To satisfy your sweet cravings without being hard on your pocket, here is my version of 3 basic ingredients Shrikhand recipe. Its perfect bowl of happiness I indulge in with my food partner! Hope you like it 🙂
Lets get cooking:
Yield: 1 bowl Prep Time(hung yogurt): 8-9 hours Make Time: 20 min
INGREDIENTS:
2 lbs (4 cups) Gopi Malai yogurt (do not use low fat yogurt, you can use any whole milk plain yogurt if no access to Malai yogurt) 4 Tbsp. (60 mL) powdered cane sugar 1 pinch of salt ½ Tsp Cardamom Powder 1-2 Saffron sticks soaked in 1 Tsp milk/water Some roughly chopped Almonds, cashew, pistachios, walnuts,pecans.
DIRECTIONS:
Note: If you have ready made hung yogurt, you can skip the recipe until step #5.
- According to the availability either get the Malai yogurt or whole milk plain yogurt (curd) that is not sour otherwise the Shrikhand will turn sour too.
- Take a deep and wide bowl and place large strainer on it, now spread a clean white muslin cloth (also known as cheesecloth) on the strainer and add the whole Malai yogurt to it.
- This process with strain the excess water from the yogurt. Now wrap this cloth from all sides tightly and hang this for around 8-9 hours or until all the water is drained out.
4. If possible hang this inside refrigerator if not any place with room temperature will be good. After 8-9 hours untie the cloth and check if yogurt looks thick and creamy. Transfer this to big bowl.
5. Add powdered cane sugar at this stage and whisk it really well. No need of electric whisks/mixer. A spoon or fork will suffice.
6. Add cardamom powder and tiny pinch of salt and give it good mix.
7. Now keep this mixture into refrigerator for about 1-2 hours or until time to serve.
8. Serve this with sprinkled roughly chopped almonds, cashews, pistachios and soaked saffron sticks.
Notes
- Variety: Use any other type of nuts or sprinkle on some coconut sugar if you like! You can also add in some diced fresh seasonal fruits like mangoes to make it flavored.
- Storage:Store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator; will be good for 1-2 days only.
- Eat with: Hot Puri, chapatti or simply on its own.
Don't forget to comment and try this recipe for your loved ones!