Kesar Elaichi Shrikhand - Greek Yosgurt Saffron Dessert

// Kesar Elaichi Shrikhand is a sweet dish which is prepared by using strained yogurt and flavored with cardamom and saffron.



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Kesar Elaichi Shrikhand or Greek Yogurt Saffron Dessert is a sweet dish which is prepared by using strained yogurt and flavored with cardamom and saffron.

two glasses of kesar elaichi shrikhand topped with pistachios

Hello, you beautiful people! Today is Thursday and tomorrow is my favorite day. Yayyyy, tomorrow is Friday. For me, Friday = Fun-day. I should rather say, Fri-night instead of Fri-day, because it’s those evenings I crave for. 😉

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Shrikhand is in menu: Today I have decided to share something which is super easy and quite delicious. It’s Kesar Elaichi Shrikhand (केसर इलाइची श्रीखंड). Kesar is known as saffron. Elaichi is a Hindi word for cardamom.

Shrikhand or Srikhand is the name of the dish which is prepared by using strained yogurt known as hung curd aka matha or chakka.

So this is a dessert prepared with strained yogurt and flavored with cardamom and saffron.

There are so many ways to flavor this yogurt dish, such as Kesar Shrikhand, Mango Shrikhand or Amrakhand, Elaichi shrikhand, Kesar elaichi Shrikhand , Pista elaichi shrikhand , rose shrikhand o

r there might be many more which I haven’t come across yet.

three glasses of kesar elaichi shrikhand on a table with flowers

So why have I decided to share this particular dish today? What’s so special about today?

It’s the festive season: Currently, most of India is having a big festive season. This running Hindu festival is Navratri, which is dedicated to Devi Durga (Goddess). Navaratri (नवरात्रि) literally means nine days. Thus, this festival is celebrated for 9 days.

Each one of the 9 days are dedicated to 9 forms of Devi Durga. Thus, people worship the 9 Avatars of Devi on these 9 days.

three glasses of kesar elaichi shrikhand dessert with spoons

Well, this Navaratri ends after the 9th day and the 10th day is known as Vijayadashami or Dussehra (दशहरा). And then there starts the countdown for Diwali. Diwali is the festival of lights which is celebrated 20 days after Dussehra.

Fasting diet: During this auspicious time of Navratri, people do fasting. My Mom does it too. So this time is also known as the fasting season. During these 9 days people follow a sattvic (सात्विक) diet, which means no meat, no-onion garlic, and no grains.

People only eat fresh herbs, fresh fruits, and vegetables. However, I have seen that people eat so much during this time as fasting food is so very delicious and versatile. I have seen many people who actually gained a little weight after fasting.

This should be no wonder as the food is super addictive. Thus, I never fast in a hope that this sattvic diet would help me lose some weight. 😉

two glasses of kesar ilaichi shrikhand on a table with flowers

Today is the 6th day of Navaratri. Goddess Kaalratri or Kalaratri is worshiped today. I am sharing this Shrikhand today because I wanted to share this dish during Navaratri so that anyone who is fasting can also enjoy this 🙂

This is for my Mom: As I told you that my Mom used to fast during these 9 days of Navratri. But now she only fasts on the first and the ninth day. My Mom loves Shrikhand and she never needed an excuse for making this deliciously creamy dessert.

But I still remember she often made this Shrikhand during Navaratri. So on the first day of this Navaratri, I was just missing her so much and made this Shrikhand to enjoy with my family. When I told her about this, she got so thrilled and said, “Wow, you made Shrikhand.

I guess I should again start fasting for 9 days and in return, you will make fasting food for me. What do you say?”

RE-PIN Kesar Elaichi Shrikhand

three glasses of kesar elaichi shrikhand on a table with flowers

Me:“Why not Mom. This is the least I can do for you.” 🙂

But this is a just conversation because my Mom never lets me cook when I am with her. She says: “You always cook for yourself. Now you enjoy, I will cook for you.” And when I say the same thing to her she gives me a clever excuse.

three glasses of kesar  shrikhand with a spoon and a napkin

She says, “Okay, let me feed you today, and you feed me tomorrow.” as you’d have guessed, that tomorrow never comes. I know why she does that. Seeing your child eating with joy is the most amazing thing for a Mom. 🙂

Some Shrikhand talk: Okay, let’s go back to Kesar Elaichi Shrikhand. My Mom used to make Shrikhand with a puran yantra. Here I found it on Google, it looks like this.

four kesar elaichi shrikhand desserts in small glasses on a table

What you’ll need: Don’t worry you don’t need that machine for making this. You can make this using a wired whisk or use an electric whisk to make things much more easier. I use a wired whisk. It also serves as a muscle strengthening exercise. Plus, this only needs 5 ingredients.

How this is made: Greek yogurt or natural full-fat yogurt is tied in a muslin cloth and left under the pressure to drain. Keep it aside overnight. This process will drain all the liquid and you will get the Chakka/Matha or Hung yogurt. Then you add, sugar, saffron crushed with milk or water. And whisk in a deep bowl until sugar is dissolved and yogurt becomes creamy. Add chopped nuts and mix well again.Pour it into a piping bag and pipe into a serving glass or bowl, or simply pour it into a serving dish. Refrigerate and serve chilled. This is usually served with poori (flattened deep-fried bread) or paratha. But I like to serve it a dessert after dinner. Either way its super yummy. And making is super easy too. If you love any type of lassi, you will instantly fall in love with this dreamy, creamy dessert.

Pour it into a piping bag and pipe into a serving glass or bowl, or simply pour it into a serving dish. Refrigerate and serve chilled. This is usually served with poori (flattened deep-fried bread) or paratha. But I like to serve it a dessert after dinner.

Either way its super yummy. And making is super easy too. If you love any type of lassi, you will instantly fall in love with this dreamy, creamy dessert.

So what are you waiting for? Feel free to please your tastebuds. 🙂

three glasses of kesar ilaichi shrikhand dessert with a white spoon and a napkin
a glass of kesar ilaichi shrikhand with a spoon in it

Kesar Elaichi Shrikhand - Greek Yosgurt Saffron Dessert (Step-by-step photo instructions)

How to Make Kesar Elaichi Shrikhand //

  1. Put a strainer over a large bowl. Take a muslin cloth and spread it on a strainer.
  2. Image of the recipe cooking step-1-1 for Kesar Elaichi Shrikhand - Greek Yosgurt Saffron Dessert
  3. Pour yogurt into the cloth and bring edges of cloth together.
  4. Image of the recipe cooking step-1-2 for Kesar Elaichi Shrikhand - Greek Yosgurt Saffron Dessert
  5. Put some weight on top, set aside for overnight, this will remove excess whey.
  6. Image of the recipe cooking step-1-3 for Kesar Elaichi Shrikhand - Greek Yosgurt Saffron Dessert
  7. Hung yogurt is ready.
  8. Image of the recipe cooking step-1-4 for Kesar Elaichi Shrikhand - Greek Yosgurt Saffron Dessert
  9. Transfer hung yogurt to a large mixing bowl.
  10. Image of the recipe cooking step-1-5 for Kesar Elaichi Shrikhand - Greek Yosgurt Saffron Dessert
  11. Add sugar, crushed saffron and cardamom and whisk well until sugar is dissolved and yogurt becomes creamy.
  12. Image of the recipe cooking step-1-6 for Kesar Elaichi Shrikhand - Greek Yosgurt Saffron Dessert
  13. Add chopped nuts and mix well again.
  14. Image of the recipe cooking step-1-7 for Kesar Elaichi Shrikhand - Greek Yosgurt Saffron Dessert
  15. Pour it into a piping bag and pipe into a serving glass or bowl, or simply pour it into a serving dish.
  16. Image of the recipe cooking step-1-8 for Kesar Elaichi Shrikhand - Greek Yosgurt Saffron Dessert
  17. Evenly sprinkle chopped nuts, and chill for an hour before serving.
  18. Image of the recipe cooking step-1-9 for Kesar Elaichi Shrikhand - Greek Yosgurt Saffron Dessert
  19. Serve chilled.
  20. Image of the recipe cooking step-1-10 for Kesar Elaichi Shrikhand - Greek Yosgurt Saffron Dessert

Recipe Card


Kesar Elaichi Shrikhand - Greek Yosgurt Saffron Dessert [Recipe]

Recipe Image
Kesar Elaichi Shrikhand is a sweet dish which is prepared by using strained yogurt and flavored with cardamom and saffron.
★★★★★
(Rating: 5 from 28 reviews)

Prep time 🕐 Cook time 🕐 Total time 🕐
8 hours 5 mins
Category ☶ Cuisine ♨ Serves ☺
Desserts Indian 4
Nutrition Info ⊛ Serving size ⊚
156 calories 1 serving

INGREDIENTS

For Kesar Elaichi Shrikhand
  • Full-Fat Greek Yogurt 500g, Or Natural Full Fat Yogurt 1 Kg
  • Ground Cardamom - ½ Tsp
  • 7-8 Saffron Strands, Crushed With 1 Tbsp Milk Or Water
  • Powdered Sugar - ¼ Cup Or As Per Taste
  • Almond And Pistachio Chopped - 4 Tbsp + 1 Tbsp For Garnishing

INSTRUCTIONS:

How to Make Kesar Elaichi Shrikhand //
  1. Put a strainer over a large bowl. Take a muslin cloth and spread it on a strainer.
  2. Pour yogurt into the cloth and bring edges of cloth together.
  3. Put some weight on top, set aside for overnight, this will remove excess whey.
  4. Hung yogurt is ready.
  5. Transfer hung yogurt to a large mixing bowl.
  6. Add sugar, crushed saffron and cardamom and whisk well until sugar is dissolved and yogurt becomes creamy.
  7. Add chopped nuts and mix well again.
  8. Pour it into a piping bag and pipe into a serving glass or bowl, or simply pour it into a serving dish.
  9. Evenly sprinkle chopped nuts, and chill for an hour before serving.
  10. Serve chilled.

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NOTES:

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