Kesar Elaichi shrikhand with everyday curd is a cool and refreshing Indian dessert for someone who loves to have a dessert with some authentic taste of sweetened yogurt.
Kesar Elaichi Srikhand is a perfect Indian Sweet with very less preparation time and ingredients. It's one of the delightful summer season sweet commonly prepared in Indian homes during Indian festival times.
It isn't just a sweetened yogurt, but much more than that. This Indian mousse tastes divine Post lunch and dinner when served chilled with fruit, chocolate chip, or nuts toppings. It's not limited to any particular flavor. It can be infused with different flavors like mango, rose, strawberry, paan, blueberry, and the list is infinite.
The market flavored greek yogurts are quite popular as a refreshing on-road snack. But the authentic taste of this homemade shrikhand is something incomparable- just like "Ghar ke khaane ki baat hi Kuch aur hai".
Shrikhand can be a star for many gourmet desserts makeovers. It can be served as mousse by piping it in chocolate cups or can be layered as icing between the cakes and cookies. Innovation is in your hands, whatever you like to do with this soft-sweetened whipped yogurt cream.
Overview
Hung curd making time: Overnight/ 9 hrs.
Preparation time: 5 mins.
Course: Indian dessert
Serve: 6
Ingredients
Curd- 1 litre
Powdered sugar- 1/2 cup (100gm)
Milk- 1/2 cup ( with saffron strand)
Saffron strands- 8-10
Green cardamom (Elaichi) powder- 2 pinch
Preparation Process
Note: Making a perfect hung curd is the key step to preparing the perfect shrikhand. It can not be avoided or replaced by normal curd or yogurt.
Step-1
Take a strainer or a bowl. Place and spread a big cotton/muslin cloth over it. Pour the entire curd into the cloth.
Step-2
Gather all the four sides of the cloth and make a Potli. Squeeze off the excess whey from it gently by pressing with hand.
Once the water starts dripping hang the Potli with curd in a cool place for approximately 8-9 hours or overnight.
Note: Straining curd is the key step for the perfect shrikhand recipe. Any unstrained whey left in the curd can turn the shrikhand runny after blending with sugar.
Step-3
After all the excess whey is out flatten the Potli/cloth and check. You will find a thick, soft, and creamy textured hung curd.
Step-4
In a big mixing bowl mix together the hung curd, powdered sugar, saffron soaked milk, and cardamom powder.
Step-5
Blend with the electric blender or whisk.
Note: If you'll use an electric hand blender it will take 4-5 mins to get a smooth shrikhand else it will take around 10 mins to reach the perfect smooth consistency.
Step-6
Check whether you get a creamy, silky, and thick consistency yogurt. If not, blend it until soft and creamy.
Top it with some diced fruits and roasted nuts. Serve chilled to enjoy it at the optimum level. You can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.
Recipe Credit: Shakuntla Aggarwal (Bangalore)