Shrikhand (Sweet Hung Yogurt/Curd)

Shrikhand is mainly an Indian sweet dish made out of strained yogurt. It is used popularly in western Indian cuisine (Maharashtrian and Gujrati). The process is simple but the straining of yogurt takes a little more of care. The preparation is as below:

Ingredients:

•  500 gms hung curd/yogurt
• Few saffron strings dipped in plain water
• Dry fruits (pistachios, almonds, cashews or raisins) as per liking
• 500 gms powdered sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder

Preparation for hung curd:

• Take a 'muslin' cloth (easily available at your nearest supermarket or grocery store) and pour in the yogurt in it. Tie it and hang the yogurt for 2-3 hours to completely drain all the whey/water from it. As an alternative to muslin cloth, you can use any piece of thin cloth. It's important that the cloth has to be thin.

Preparation for Shrikhand:

• After the whey/water is drained off completely, take the thick yogurt in a bowl.
• Add in sugar to the yogurt and mix well. Sugar quantity should be equal to the yogurt. For example: if you take 500 gms of yogurt, take 500 gms of powdered sugar.
• Let the mixture sit for 2-3 hours in a cool place.
• In a small bowl, add few strings of saffron (kesar) to 3 teaspoons of water.
• Add the saffron water to the yogurt mixture.
• Add cardamom powder and mix well.

Now your shrikhand is ready!  Usually served with puris or just have it as a dessert!!!