Strawberry & Cream Phirni

Phirni is a traditional North Indian sweet dish / kheer generally made up of milk, rice paste and sugar. You can add fruits of your choice like mango, strawberries, lichis, peaches etc. to have an unique Indian Dessert.

Recipe for Strawberry & Cream Phirni

Ingredients:

• 4 tbsps (55 gms) long grain rice / basmati rice
• 4 cups (1 ltr) milk
• 12-15 fresh strawberries
• ½ tsp green cardamom powder
• 50 gms / 7 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp whipped cream
• 3 tbsp seedless raisins
• 3 tbsp almonds, chopped
• 3 tbsp pista, finely sliced
• Silver warq, for garnishing

Method:

1. Clean, wash and soak the rice in water for half an hour (30 mins).
2. Drain the water and grind the soaked rice to form a smooth paste.
3. Dilute the rice paste with a little water. Keep aside.
4. Wash, hull (mentioned below) and slice two strawberries and keep then aside for garnishing. Finely chop the remaining strawberries.
5. Soak almonds & pista in a little amount of boiled water (so that it is esay to peel the outer skin). Drain water. Peel & slice almonds & pista. Keep aside.
6. In a microwave safe bowl, boil milk at 100% power for 6-7 minutes. Stir in between. Microwave again at 50% power for 5 more mins.
7. Add sugar, rice paste, cardamom powder and 2 tbsp each of raisins, almonds & pista.
8. Cover the bowl and microwave at 60% power for 10 mins or until the phirni / kheer thickens.
9. (The phirni / kheer will thicken if allowed to stand either in the microwave or at room temperature for 10 minutes).
10. When cool, add cream. Microwave at 40% power for 5-6 mins.
11. Take the dish out of the microwave and cool to room temperature and stir in the chopped strawberries. Mix well.
12. Pour the phirni into individual small earthenware serving bowls.
13. Garnish phirni with the rest of the raisins, almonds, pista & strawberry slices and chill in the refrigerator.
14. Serve chilled.

Tips: For a low calorie phirni / kheer, use toned milk and reduce the amount of dry fruits and omit cream.

Carving out strawberry Slices: The hull is the green leafy top of the strawberry, which is removed before cooking or serving.
Hold a sharp knife in an angle and cut, in a circular motion, around the green leafy top of the strawberry and into the flesh underneath.
Remove the hull and wash strawberries thoroughly under cold running water before using).