Shrikand

March 16th 2010

This is a very easy dessert to make and is a popular Maharashtrian dessert. It can be enjoyed plain as a dessert or with puris or parathas. Again it can be made in its simple form or flavored with Mango pulp or as a fruit shrikand. The options are many. The only paraphernalia you need are a cloth (either Muslin cloth or Thorthu) for straining and a hand blender.

Difficulty level : Easy

Time:  12 hrs ( Prep Time), 15 min ( Cooking Time)

Ingredients

• Store bought non-flavored yogurt or homemade (1 tub - 32 oz), you can use low fat or whole fat- that would be a personal preference. 
• sugar ( to taste) - about 1/2 cup approx.
• pistachios, almonds ( soaked in water for a few hours)
• saffron ( a couple of threads)

Method de Preparation

1. Tie yogurt in muslin cloth and allow to strain/drain overnight.
2. Soak nuts in water for a few hours before making this.
3. The next day the yogurt will not have any water left and will be in a thick form, like paneer almost.
4. Take the yogurt out into a bowl, add the sugar and saffron and blend with a hand blender till mixed well.
5. Taste a little bit ( do not eat spoonfuls) to see if you need more sugar.
6. Add the chopped nuts and mix with a spoon. Save some for decoration if you like.
7. Refrigerate for a few hours and serve.

Chef's Tip:  After straining, the yogurt quantity reduces in about half, so start out with double of what you will need in the end.

Variations:   Add mango pulp to make mango shrikand, or add chopped fruits to make fruit shrikand, add pineapple for pineapple shrikand..you get the picture right?