Shrikhand recipe | Gujarati shrikhand sweet | Kesar elaichi shrikhand with greek yogurt
Shrikhand is an Indian version of sweetened flavored yogurt or dahi. It is made of thick curd/chakka, cardamom/elaichi, saffron/kesar, pistachios, and sugar. Shrikhand is a popular dessert in Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Karnataka. It can be enjoyed as a side dish for pooris or eaten as a delicacy.
This Creamy yogurt dessert is incredibly delicious to eat. Kesar elaichi shrikhand is one of the easiest Indian sweets made at home. In fact, It can be within 10 mins that too with just basic kitchen ingredients.
Traditionally, shrikhand is made with homemade hung curd (chakka), but I usually make it with store-bought greek yogurt, which is a quick and instant way of preparing this dessert at home.
This instant shrikhand is my staple dessert because it is loaded with protein and good fats, plus my favorite combo of kesar and elaichi. This sweetened golden yogurt is the best alternative for ice cream, as it can be relished even on a diet.
In Karnataka, the shrikhand recipe is called "shikarni or shikharini." In fact, my grandma used to make mango shrikhand every Sunday throughout the mango season. She particularly uses the banganapalli variety as it tastes amazingly delicious with hot pipping poori.
Shrikhand can also be made with labneh/labnah/labne; it's nothing but a Middle eastern strained yogurt. Furthermore, cardamom gives a nice aroma, and saffron produces a beautiful yellowish hue and a generous amount of crushed pistachios for a crunch to the shrikhand. So don't forget to add them.
Moreover, if you crave a vegan shrikhand, use any plant-based milk yogurt such as almond milk yogurt, coconut milk yogurt, peanut milk yogurt, cashew yogurt, etc. You can also replace the sugar with stevia.
Shrikhand is also a versatile dessert; you can add chopped fruit pieces or fruit puree/pulp of strawberry, blueberry, raspberry, mango, chikoo, custard apple, banana, dates, raisins, rose syrup, chocolate, and so on. The list is endless:)
Though I have used store-bought greek yogurt for this recipe, still, I would like to briefly explain how to make hung curd at home. Hope this will help in case you want to try shrikhand with hung curd/chakka.
How to make hung curd:
1. Firstly, take a large bowl and on top keep a medium-size mesh strainer. Then, line a cheesecloth/muslin cloth/clean kitchen towel over a strainer. (There should be enough gap between the bowl and strainer to collect the whey water from curd/yogurt).
2. Secondly, pour fresh curd into the cloth and tightly tie the cloth using the four edges. (Do not use sour curd for this recipe).
3. Thirdly, gently squeeze the cheesecloth, and the excess water in the curd (whey) will start to drip in the bowl through a strainer. Next, place a heavy object like mortar and pestle or water bottle over the tied cheesecloth. Let all the water drain completely, which takes about 6 to 8 hours or overnight. You may keep it outside or in the refrigerator.
4. Finally, remove the bowl from the refrigerator, and the whey has been completely drained off in the bowl. Untie the cheesecloth, remove the remaining curd (which looks rock solid and dense in texture), and transfer it to a container.
(Note: Do not throw away the whey water. You can use it for making roti dough).
5. Chakka/Hung curd is ready to use for shrikhand. You can store the leftover in the fridge for a week or so.
Alright, now let's get into the quick shrikhand recipe.
Recipe: Shrikhand recipe | Gujarati shrikhand sweet recipe | Kesar elaichi shrikhand with greek yogurt
Serves - 1
Cuisine - Indian
Course - Dessert
Prep time - 10 mins
Diet - Vegetarian
Calories - 180
Author - Pavithra
Publisher - Pavi's Kitchen
Shrikhand Recipe Ingredients:
Hung curd or Full-fat greek yogurt - 1 cup/200 gms
Powdered sugar or stevia - 1 to 2 tbsp
Cardamom powder - A pinch
Saffron soaked in milk - A pinch
Pistachios - 2 tbsp crushed
Salt - A pinch
Notes/Tips:
1. Always use fresh yogurt/curd for the shrikhand recipe. Never use sour curd.
2. Powdered sugar can be replaced with stevia/coconut sugar/palm sugar. But the taste might differ.
3. Soak saffron in a tbsp of hot water or milk and keep it aside. Saffron is optional. So, feel free to skip if you don't have it. I add them for the yellowish hue.
4. Full-fat Greek yogurt works best for this recipe. (I have tried it with Fage, Siggi's, Maple hill, chobani brands).
5. Hung curd/Greek yogurt/Labne can be used for the shrikhand recipe.
6. A pinch of salt is added to balance the sweetness and flavor.
How to make Shrikhand:
1. Take a bowl of hung curd or Greek yogurt.
2. Whisk until the yogurt turns smooth and creamy. Make sure there are no lumps; you may use a fork or whisker to beat the yogurt.
3. Now, add the required amount of powdered sugar or stevia.
4. Gently, combine it and add saffron soaked in milk and cardamom.
5. Instant shrikhand is ready to be served in a bowl, and add toppings like pistachios, almonds, etc.
6. Scoop and enjoy the shrikhand instantly or keep them in the refrigerator for 30 mins or so for a chilled dessert.
1. Greek yogurt is rich in protein, calcium, potassium, Zinc, Vitamin B6, and B12.
2. Good for the digestive system.
3. Good source of calcium which supports bone health.
4. Boosts immune system.
5. Aids in weight loss.
6. Helps in controlling blood pressure.
7. Great source of probiotics.
8. Good for oral health.
9. It gives a satiating feeling which helps to keep the stomach full for longer.
10. Helps to detoxify the skin and fights acne.
1. Helps in getting glowing skin
2. powerful antidepressants
3. It helps with weight loss.
4. It improves digestion.
5. It contains anti-oxidants.
6. Treats depression.
7. It boosts memory.
8. Helps with PMS and pain reliever.
9. Healthy heart.
10. Good for digestion.
11. Promotes mental health.
12. Prevents diabetes.
13. It relieves depression and keeps stress at bay.
14. Strengthens the nervous system.
1. Cardamom improves digestive health.
2. Promotes a healthy heart.
3. Aids in cancer prevention.
4. Cardamom helps to fight depression.
5. It has diuretic properties.
6. It helps to fight asthma.
7. Improves oral health.
8. Lowers blood pressure.
9. It enhances appetite.
10. Cardamom helps to treat sore throat.
11. It Improves complexion and treats skin allergies.
12. Improves hair health and nourishes hair scalp.
Cardamom is called "elaichi" in Hindi, "Aelakka" in Malayalam, "Elakkai" in Tamil, "Yelakulu" in Telugu, "Yalakki" in Kannada, "Ilaychi" in Gujarati, "Hr̥daya rōga" in Nepali, and "Huba alhal" in Arabic – cardamom is a spice made from the seeds of several plants belonging to the family Zingiberaceae.
Health benefits of pistachios:
1. Pistachios are rich in vitamin B and contain healthy fats.
2. It is high in anti-oxidants and has anti-aging benefits.
3. It helps with digestion.
4. It improves the immune system.
5. It boosts immunity.
6. High in calories and contains a high amount of energy.
7. Good source of potassium, copper, magnesium, phosphorous.
8. High in anti-oxidants.
9. Good for dry skin.
10. It lowers LDL - bad cholesterol and improves HDL - good cholesterol.
11. Prevents heart disease.
12. It is high in beta-carotene.
13. It has a lot of Iron content which is good for people with Iron- deficiency.
14. Rich in fiber which relieves constipation.
15. It contains omega 3 fatty acids, which are good for fetal brain development.
2. It is high in anti-oxidants and has anti-aging benefits.
3. It helps with digestion.
4. It improves the immune system.
5. It boosts immunity.
6. High in calories and contains a high amount of energy.
7. Good source of potassium, copper, magnesium, phosphorous.
8. High in anti-oxidants.
9. Good for dry skin.
10. It lowers LDL - bad cholesterol and improves HDL - good cholesterol.
11. Prevents heart disease.
12. It is high in beta-carotene.
13. It has a lot of Iron content which is good for people with Iron- deficiency.
14. Rich in fiber which relieves constipation.
15. It contains omega 3 fatty acids, which are good for fetal brain development.
*(Health benefits are taken from Google and Wikipedia).
Try this Shrikhand recipe | Gujarati shrikhand sweet | Kesar elaichi shrikhand - greek yogurt, and let me know how it turns up. Express your thoughts in the comment section below; I can't wait to hear from you!
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