Shrikhand Recipe Master The Art Of Making Shrikhand At Home

Authentic Shrikhand Recipe

A Guide to Whipping Up Irresistible Shrikhand

Shrikhand is a well-loved delicacy in the western regions of India, particularly in Gujarat and Maharashtra. You can create this delightful sweetened yoghurt treat with six ingredients and a brief preparation time of approximately 15 minutes.

Despite its simplicity, Shrikhand holds a special place, often featured on the tables of Maharashtrian and Gujarati weddings as a delightful element in the celebratory thali meal. Its inclusion in such significant events is a testament to its deliciousness!

This article will delve into the Shrikhand recipe and share essential tips for achieving the perfect Shrikhand at home.

How To Make Shrikhand at Home?

There are two ways to make Shrikhand at home. One is the traditional method, using hung curd. However, the recipe has evolved to include Greek yoghurt, offering a convenient alternative. This delightful dish boasts a creamy, dense texture, resembling a tart cheesecake filling. It's not only a delicious treat but also a guilt-free one.

The preparation time is around 15 minutes for both types.

Shrikhand Ingredients

Let's first look at the ingredients required to make Shrikhand.

With Hung Curd:
4.5 cups of curd - 1.125 kg
8 to 9 tsp of sugar (raw or powdered)
½ tsp of cardamom powder
24 to 30 saffron strands
½ tbsp warm milk
7 to 8 pistachios, crushed or chopped

With Greek Yogurt:
1.5 cups chilled Greek yoghurt or Greek-style yoghurt - 400 grams
¼ tsp cardamom powder
⅛ tsp ground nutmeg
⅓ to ½ cup sugar (raw or powdered)
½ to 1 tbsp warm milk
12 to 15 saffron strands
1 to 2 tbsp nuts - cashews, almonds, or pistachios

Shrikhand Recipe: Traditional Method

As we have mentioned earlier, there are two Shrikhand recipes. For the traditional method, you must first know how to make hung curd. So, we'll first look at the traditional method before moving on to the modern way.

Part 1: Making Hung Curd

Step 1: Start by placing a strainer over a deep bowl. Line the strainer with a muslin cheesecloth or a kitchen cotton towel.
Step 2: Pour fresh curd onto the lined filter, ensuring it's fresh and not sour. Bring the four edges of the muslin together, tying one edge tightly around the rest.
Step 3: Gently press the curd, and you'll observe the whey dripping. Place a bowl or a tray on the tied muslin.
Step 4: Keep the setup in the fridge for 4 to 5 hours or overnight.
Step 5: For an extended duration, like 24 hours, ensure to use a deep bowl underneath to maintain distance between the curd in the filter and the collected whey. It prevents the whey from touching the filter and curd, ensuring minimal whey in the curd.
Step 6: The next day, the hung curd will be ready.
Gather the hung curd in a container or lidded bowl using a silicon spatula. Cover it with its lid and refrigerate. Now, with the hung curd ready, you can make shrikhand.

Part 2: Shrikhand With Hung Curd: Step-by-step instructions

Step 1: Add warm milk to a bowl and mix around 2 pinches of saffron strands.
Step 2: After stirring it well, mix 4 to 5 green cardamoms in a mixer and keep aside.
Step 3: Take the hang curd in a bowl.
Step 4: Add fine sugar and lightly stir with a spatula or spoon.
Step 5: Then add the saffron milk and powdered sugar.
Step 6: Whip the hung curd using a blender.
Step 7: Cover the mix and refrigerate for 30 minutes to a couple of hours or overnight.
Step 8: Sprinkle sliced or chopped nuts and saffron strands while serving.

Shrikhand Recipe: Modern Method

Greek Yogurt Shrikhand: Step-by-step instructions

Step 1: Heat milk in a pan on a stove. Add a pinch of saffron strands, stir, and set aside.
Step 2: In a mixing bowl, take chilled Greek yoghurt.
Step 3: Add fine or superfine sugar, adjusting to your taste.
Step 4: Mix the sugar well with the yoghurt. Beat it fine until the yoghurt becomes smooth and creamy. Also, there should not be any sugar granules.
Step 5: Add the saffron-soaked milk, cardamom powder, and 2 to 3 pinches of nutmeg powder.
Step 6: Mix thoroughly.
Step 7: Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 30 minutes to a couple of hours or overnight for a more intense flavour.
Step 8: While serving, sprinkle sliced or chopped nuts and add 2 to 3 saffron strands optionally.

Popular Varieties of Shrikhand

Here are some other varieties of Shrikhand you can make at home.

Mango Shrikhand: A sweet treat with yummy mangoes.
Chocolate Shrikhand: Tasty Shrikhand with chocolate goodness.
Rose Shrikhand: Fancy Shrikhand with a flowery touch.
Dry Fruit Shrikhand: Nutty Shrikhand with crunchy dry fruits.

Conclusion

You must have learned from this recipe that Shrikhand is a culinary gem that captures the essence of Indian flavours. The lusciously smooth texture showcases the artful creation of hung curd. The subtle sweetness of sugar, combined with the comforting touch of cardamom and the alluring fragrance of saffron, creates a delightful harmony that enchants the taste buds. Ideal for a family dinner, this recipe caters to four people. Share the joy of this delicious dish with your loved ones on those memorable occasions.

FAQs

1. How can I serve Shrikhand?

Use a serving bowl to serve Shrikhand. You can enjoy shrikhand as a delightful sweet dessert or pair it with poori or chapati. You can also serve it as a sweet treat and any vegetarian Indian main course.