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”.
Phirni (Milk Dessert)
Rich dessert made with milk.
Ingredients:
- basmati rice - 1/4 cup
- milk - 4 cups + 1 tbsp (divided)
- sugar - 3/4 - 1 cup (adjust to taste)
- cardamom - 1
- saffron - a pinch
- almonds - few
- pista - few
Instructions:
Soak rice for 30 minutes. Soak the nuts in hot water for an hour and peel off the skin. Soak saffron in 1 tbsp of warm milk.
Take rice and 2 tbsp water in a blender and blend to a smooth paste. Bring 4 cups of milk to a boil and add the rice paste stirring constantly. Add the sugar. Keep stirring off and on until the mixture thickens to a custard like consistency.
Add saffron milk and cardamom powder and turn off the stove. Garnish with chopped nuts and serve.
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.
 on http://cooksjoy.com/blog "Pin It")
Delicious pudding recipe, love those color ramekins!!
I have eaten so many times in the plane and always loved it. will have to try sometime. bookmarking it!
I love rice puddings and this looks delish!
delicious phirni, looks absolutely delicious…loved your presentation with festive touch and those cute and colorful ramekins too
Wat a delightful phirni..Love those colourful ramekins.
Such a pretty platter! Looks lovely
What a colorful treat to my eyes beautifully done vardhini love the way u have styled ur plate so nice
Rich and delicious phirni.. Lovely Presentation Vardhini.. Just got an idea to try this for Diwali.. Will let you know how it turns out..
I have tried this dessert earlier but did not succeed. Thank-you so much for the detailed steps, will definitely try it out this Diwali. Love the bowls as well as the presentation.
creamy dessert… nice clicks
i liked the color ramekins ! too good
looks great,very festive.love the colourful bowls
a very very delicious phirni
and awesome presentation !! loving those colorful bowls 