Shrikhand (Yogurt based Dessert)

The name of shrikhand makes me go over to drool-land :) It is a simple dessert made with hung yogurt*, saffron, cardamom along with few nuts. It definitely screams 'Less is More' :) It is served with Indian fried bread poori (puri) or can be just enjoyed as plain chill dessert. Store bought kesar flavored shrikhand is my favorite. However if you want a quick fix made at home, this is the way!
Let's see the recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cup hung yogurt* (I used greek plain low-fat yogurt)
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4th tsp cardamom
• 7-8 pistachios chopped
• pinch saffron in 1 tbsp warm milk

Preparation:

• Take greek yogurt and whisk it with a hand mixer till it is smooth. 
• Add sugar and whisk some more.
• Add cardamom powder and saffron milk then slowly fold it in the shrikhand.
• Garnish with chopped pistachios.

njoY!! happY cookinG!!

Note:* Hung yogurt is made basically by draining out all the water from the yogurt. You can do it by using a muslin cloth, place the yogurt and tie it and then hang it for few hours or keep a heavy object over it to help the process of draining. You can also adjust the sugar level as you like by adding more or less.

Health Benefits: Yogurt is no. 1 natural probiotic that is available. Because it has good bacteria in it, it helps in digestion. It may also aid in the prevention of osteoporosis. It is a very good source of calcium, vitamin b2, b12, potassium and magnesium. I mostly ended my meals with a second serving of rice and yogurt. But now I try to have atleast 2-3 tbsp of yogurt after my meals.