The usual desserts sounded boring and I pinged my friend Shai to suggest a dessert for me. Her immediate response was “Phirni”. It is a rich milk based dessert that has the consistency of custard. I have not heard of it before and asked her to send me the recipe. The recipe looked similar to the payasam/kheer we make, but much smoother in texture.
The interesting part for me was that it was easy and took less time to make. Got all the prep work done and made the dessert. It took a while for the mixture to thicken up and I was on the phone messaging my friend to make sure I was doing it right. It thickened eventually and is a total milk lover’s delight. It was rich, smooth and tasted great.
I added one cup of sugar and found it to be too sweet for my liking. Please adjust the quantity to your taste. Off to the recipe. Recipe adapted from “Prashad-Cooking with Indian Masters”.

My Notes
1. The dessert has to be smooth. Keep stirring to avoid lumps.

1 year ago: Eggless Chocolate Chip Cookies
2 years ago: Oven Roasted Tomato Soup

Pictorial
1. Soak rice for half an hour. Soak nuts in hot water for an hour. Peel the skin off almonds and pista and keep aside.2. Wash rice and take in a blender. Add 2 tbsp of water.3. Make a fine paste.4. Soak saffron in 1 tbsp warm milk and keep aside.5. Bring 4 cups of milk to a boil.6. Add the rice paste. Keep stirring to avoid lumps.7. Add sugar.8. Stir off and on and see the mixture thicken to a custard like consistency.9. Add the cardamom powder and saffron milk.10. Mix and turn off the stove. Garnish with soaked nuts and serve.
Rich dessert ready.
Enjoy!

Linking to Diwali Bash 2013.


and Priya and Sangee’s Diwali Delicacies.