Shrikhand is a sweet and tangy dessert from the Indian state of Gujarat. It’s made from strained yoghurt, flavoured with saffron and cardamom, and sweetened with sugar. The dish is usually garnished with nuts and served chilled, making it a refreshing and indulgent treat.
Shrikhand is a popular dessert in India, often served during festivals and special occasions. It pairs well with various Indian sweets, such as gulab jamun and rasgulla, and savoury snacks like samosas and pakoras.
If you have a sweet tooth and enjoy the tanginess of yoghurt, Shrikhand is the perfect dessert for you. With its creamy texture and aromatic flavour, it’s sure to satisfy your cravings and leave you wanting more.
About the Recipe
This Shrikhand recipe is perfect for anyone who loves creamy desserts but doesn’t want to spend hours in the kitchen. The beauty of this dessert lies in its simplicity and the fact that you probably already have most ingredients at home. The hardest part is waiting for the yogurt to drain properly, but trust me, it’s worth every minute. Once you taste this silky smooth dessert with its perfect blend of sweet and tangy flavors, you’ll understand why it’s such a favorite at Indian celebrations and family gatherings.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
You’ll fall in love with how easy this recipe is to make. There’s no cooking involved, which means you can’t really mess it up. The texture is incredibly smooth and creamy, almost like a cross between yogurt and cheesecake. The saffron gives it a beautiful golden color and a lovely aroma that makes the whole dessert feel luxurious. Plus, it’s much lighter than many other desserts, so you won’t feel too heavy after eating it. The garnish of crunched nuts adds a nice texture contrast. And the best part? You can make it ahead of time, which makes it perfect for entertaining guests.
Shrikhand
Cooking Tips
Make sure your yogurt is thick to start with – Greek yogurt works wonderfully for this recipe. Don’t skip the draining step, as it’s what gives Shrikhand its signature thick texture. When mixing the sugar with the drained yogurt, be patient and blend until completely smooth. Soak the saffron in warm milk for at least 10 minutes to get the best color and flavor. Taste as you go and adjust the sweetness if needed. The longer you chill it, the better the flavors will blend together.
Serving and Storing Suggestions
This recipe serves 4-6 people and takes about 15 minutes of active preparation time, plus 4-5 hours for draining and chilling. Serve it cold in small bowls or glasses for an elegant presentation. It pairs beautifully with fresh fruits or Indian sweets. Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors actually improve after the first day, so don’t worry about making it ahead of time.
Similar Recipes
- Mango Shrikhand
- Rabri
- Basundi
- Kulfi
- Ras Malai
Nutrient Benefits
Shrikhand offers the nutritional benefits of yogurt, including probiotics that support digestive health and protein for muscle maintenance. The yogurt also provides calcium for strong bones and teeth. While it does contain sugar, the portion sizes are typically small, making it a reasonable treat. The nuts used for garnishing add healthy fats and extra protein. Saffron contains antioxidants that may have health benefits, though it’s used in small amounts.
Shrikhand
Ingredients
- 400 g Curd
- 250 g Sugar
- 1/4 tsp Cardamom Powder
- few Saffron Strands mixed with 2 tsp warm milk
To Garnish
- few Almonds chopped
- few Pistachios chopped
Instructions
- Hang the curd in a muslin cloth for couple of hours or until all liquid has drained.
- Mix the curd and sugar in a large bowl.
- Blend well until smooth.
- Add cardamom powder and saffron strands.
- Mix gently.
- Garnish with with almonds and pistachios.
- Keep it in the fridge for 2 to 3 hours.
- Serve chilled.
Notes
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use regular yogurt instead of thick yogurt?
Yes, but you’ll need to drain it longer. Regular yogurt has more water content, so it might take 4-6 hours to get the right consistency. The key is to get as much liquid out as possible for that perfect creamy texture.
How do I know when the yogurt is drained enough?
The yogurt should be thick enough that it doesn’t drip when you lift the cloth. It should look like thick cream cheese. If you can still squeeze out liquid easily, give it more time to drain.
Q: Can I make this dessert without saffron?
Without a doubt. While saffron adds a lovely flavor and color, the dessert will still taste great without it. You can add a bit more cardamom powder or even try other flavors like rose water for variation.
Why is my Shrikhand not smooth enough?
Make sure you’re blending the yogurt and sugar really well. You can also pass it through a fine sieve once to remove any lumps. Using a hand mixer for a minute or two can help achieve that silky smooth texture.
6 comments
If you use Greek yogurt, do you still have to hang the curd?
No. You do not have to.
Love all ull recipe’s thx u for share
Nice you’re recipe I will try to cook and tastes
good and tasty
Its very nice