Kesar Shrikhand

Kesar Shrikhand is an easy dessert. This delicacy is a big favorite in the western India, especially in Gujarat and Maharashtra. Big winner with kids and seniors. Both age groups cannot chew much. A good way to serve yogurt to picky kids, who otherwise detest milk.

Kesar pista shrikhand made with saffron pistachios, kesar elaichi shrikhand made with saffron cardamom, pistachio shrikhand, elaichi shrikhand made with cardamom powder, saffron shrikhand recipe are many popular varieties. Aarey Dairy at Goregaon (E), Mumbai sells amazingly fresh ones. I would always stop by the dairy on W.E highway to get 3-4 varieties on the way home from shopping. However the only drawback of the store bought one, is you cannot control the sugar.

Jump to:

• History and its varieties
• Ingredients
• How to make shrikhand?
• Kesar Shrikhand recipe
• How to make Shrikhand thick?
• Storage
• How to serve it?
• What are kesar sweets you can make?
• What are the names of Maharashtrian sweets?

History and its varieties

This popular Indian dessert is named after Shri Krishna. Referred to in the history as 'Shikhrini' or'Shedki'.We make this sweet especially for Janamashtami. We celebrate the birth of Lord Krishna  on Janamashtami festival. Milk and milk products are a favorite of Lord Krishna. He is also known as the protector of cows. He loves butter and curd especially. We offer many milk based products as prasad. You can also have it during fasting as milk based products are allowed in Navratri/Navratre. Amrakhand  or mango shrikhand made with mango pulp are their other variants. When it is prepared with edible rose petals, it is known as rose shrikhand.  Some people even make chocolate shrikhand and sitafal shrikhand these days. Delicious and absolutely yum!!

Ingredients

• Thick yogurt
• Saffron strands soaked in milk
• Pistachios chopped
• Powdered sugar

How to make shrikhand?

1. Mix plain yogurt, kesar strands soaked in milk & sugar in a large bowl.

2. Lightly whip all ingredients, add nuts and serve chilled.

Kesar Shrikhand is ready. Refrigerate.

How to make Shrikhand thick?

Ensure that your curd is hung overnight. This will ensure all water is drained out. For thick creamy version, always ensure you use full fat milk to make yogurt. Store bought Greek yogurt is also a good option. Shrikhand with Greek yogurt is easy to make as it is already thicker than normal pot set yogurt. If you look at a similarity, it resembles Greek yogurt or fruit yogurt available in the west. Both use hung curd. Add some sugar and fruit pulp to make an easy dessert. Adding saffron gives it a great color. You may just make it with some cardamom powder too if you do not have nuts handy. Some like to have it as a dessert. You could also pair it with poori or paratha for breakfast. Shrikhand puri is a delicacy in many Marathi /Gujarati homes on special occasions.

Storage

Always store it in refrigerator.

How to serve it?

• Methi thepla
• Lauki thepla
• Poori
• Puran poli and shrikhand are also great combinations

What are kesar sweets you can make?

Dairy based sweets are a great option during festive season. They are loaded with calcium. Having something sweet is great long as you eat them in moderation. Adding kesar to sweets gives it a fabulous tinge of sunshine yellow. Its my happy color. I love having kesar milk even on cold winter evenings without sugar. My favorite memory of Haridwar comes back with a smile every time.

• Kheer

• Kulfi

• Rasmalai

• Kesar rajbhog

What are the names of Maharashtrian sweets?

Puran poli, karanji, ukadiche modak, chocolate mawa modak, strawberry modak,sugar free chocolate modak, air fried modaks are some interesting recipes.

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