Anupama's Kitchen
Creamy Hung Yogurt Dessert with Saffron (Kesar Shrikhand)
Shrikhand is an Indian traditional dessert which we make for festive holidays and celebration. Sharikhand can be made with different flavors such as Saffron, Cardamom, Rose, Mango – which is one of the most in demand.
Hung yogurt is yogurt drained of all its water. We make that at home very easily by tying some yogurt in a muslin cloth or bag and leave it hanging for at least 4 hours, till all the water drains out or overnight. This recipe does not need any stovetop cooking. The only time you will spend is to squeeze the water out from yogurt and then to mix all ingredients.
Prep Time
3 - 4 Hours (Min)
Soak Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
10 Minutes
Serving Size
Serves 4 - 5
Yogurt:
As per Ayurveda, this sweet and sour dish is perfect for pacifying high Pitta and wonderful addition for pregnant women, children, elderly population, and anyone with a sweet tooth. As per Ayurveda, yogurt is the only fermented food recognized as sattvic. Sour yogurt is Pitta or Kapha aggravating. One of the best foods in Celiac disease and IBS is yogurt with triple amounts of water, cumin powder, black pepper, and salt. Fresh yogurt with live cultures adds about 13 grams of protein for 1 cup yogurt along with B complex, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, and folic acid, etc.
Saffron or Kesar:
It takes 75,000 saffron flowers to make one pound of saffron spice. Hence, saffron is one of the costliest spices used in the world, even costlier than gold. Saffron balances Vata, Pitta and Kapha doshas in the body. Saffron is warm in nature and hence, it is an effective tonic to treat cold and fever. It is antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal and boosts immunity. As we combine Saffron with yogurt, this recipe can be used during pregnancy as it balances the warmness of Saffron.
Ingredients
- 2 Cups of Plain Organic Yogurt
- ¼ Cup Milk or Water
- 10 to 20 Threads of Saffron
- 2 Tablespoons Organic Sugar or Honey
- ¼ - ½ Teaspoon Cardamom Powder
- 2 Teaspoons Crushed or Slivered Pistachios
Instructions
- In a very fine muslin cloth, pour plain organic yogurt. Bring together four corners of cloth and tie a knot. Hang it over a sink for overnight or 3-4 hours so that all water is drained out. You can use a muslin bag instead of muslin cloth if you like.
- In the morning, pour the hung yogurt carefully in a bowl. Add cardamom, sugar or honey and half the pistachios in the bowl and mix it.
- Add saffron strand in a bowl with milk and leave it to stand with disturbing for 15 minutes.
- Add the saffron and milk to the yogurt mixture and mix it well.
- Serve Creamy Hung Yogurt Dessert with Saffron or Kesar Shrikhand either chilled or room temperature, garnished with pistachios and a couple of saffron threads. You can eat this as a sweet dish or can eat with savory puffed puris.