Shrikhand-Creamy Yoghurt Infused with Custard Apple and Cardamom

Shrikhand, creamy sweet hung curd, mildly flavored with crushed cardamom and saffron strands is  a  magical transformation of simple curd into a sweet delicacy befitting for GODs. That’s why "Shrikhand" is supposed to mean "Ambrosia of the Gods".  This traditional Indian dessertuses Low fat, rich and creamy Greek yogurtand involves no cooking and is a standard feature of many households especially in Gujrat and Maharastra. Shrikhandis generally flavored with saffron, cardamom or diced fruits and served with masala puri or as a standalone dessert. If like flavored yogurt, then  this homemade  flavored yogurt – Shrikhand will surely satisfy your taste bud . The main ingredient for Shrikhand is hung curd. For shrikhand your curd needs to be thick and no water in it. For this, you have to tie the fresh curd in a cotton Or linen cloth to let the water droop down from the cloth. Keep tied for 3 to 4 hours Or overnight. Let the whey flow down. Now unwrap the cloth to use your hung curd. Hung curd is known as chaka in India.Hung yogurt is like a blank canvas and you can paint it with the flavors you want. If you like a fruit based shrikhand, just add the puree or the pulp of the fruit after blending the hung curd and blend everything again. You can add any fruit, dry fruits with sugar and yogurt to make your fruits shrikhand. One of its most popular variations is  aam Shrikhand or Amrakhand where mango puree is added to this dessert . I have already posted Amrakhand recipe earlier.As winter bids adieu and summer is fast approaching, this festival of color known as Holi is round the corner which has many dimensions to it than only colours. From celebrating the change of season, get together with families and friends and preparing delectable sweets and savories, this festival reminds us that there is no bigger and vibrant festival than Holi. To celebrate the #Festivalofcolors, the Foodie Monday BlogHop theme for this Monday was Colors associated with Holi and I have decided to keep my canvas blank and fill it with all the colors of Holi by making Cardamom flavoured Shrikhand and present it with a thandai based tart and topped it with fruits of my choice to represent the true colors of Holi. Ingredients for the Thandai based tart.

• 1 cup all purpose flour

• 1/8^th tsp baking powder

• a pinch of salt

• a pinch of nutmeg powder

• 1/4th cup grated coconut

• ¼ cup thandai powder/ syrup

• 5 tbsp cold unsalted butter

• 1/4^th cup powdered sugar

• cold water if you are using Thandai powder

Ingredients for Cardamom filled custard apple Shrikhand;

• 400 grams hung curd

• 1 cup sugar

• 1 cup custard apple puree

• 1 tsp cardamom powder

• few pistachios for garnishing

For the garnish

• Assortment of fruits like, banana, kiwi, grapes, red apple, orange, pomegranate, cherries etc.

let's learn how to make this Shrikhand:

• To make the thandai tart,  add all purpose flour, baking powder, nutmeg powder, salt and sieve well in a bowl.

• Mix sugar and butter together till smooth and creamy add the thandai powder, grated coconut and mix well, add the all purpose flour, baking powder ,salt and nutmeg powder mix and make a dough using very little cold water. Water is not required for the dough if you are using thandai syrup. Cover it with cling film and keep it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.

• Preheat the oven at 180 degrees . line a parchment paper in a 7" tart mold . Take out the dough from the fridge and place it between two parchment paper. sprinkle some flour on it and start rolling it in a circular motion. Make a circle larger than your tart mold and take out the top most butter paper from it. Now carefully invert the dough over the tart mold and remove the butter paper. Press the dough as per the tart mold and place some cheakpeas over it which helps in retaining the shape and it won't puff up  and blind bake it the oven for 40 minutes.Take out of oven and keep on a wire wrack to cool
• Place yogurt in double layer cheesecloth/muslin cloth, gather up the sides and put the bundle in strainer over the deep bowl. Put in the fridge over night to drain.
• Put drained yogurt, cardamom, sugar in the food processor. Mix well and adjust for sweetness.Add the custard apple puree to it and keep in the fridge to cool for 30 minutes or till you are ready to serve.
• Pour the yogurt mixture over the crust and tap the pan gently on the counter to release any air bubbles.
• Top the tart with your choice of fresh fruit or berries before serving.
• Sprinkle nutmeg powder and pistachios on it and enjoy this fruity flavoured Shrikhand.

Going by the color of the Holi , I have given a twist to the normal shrikhand by adding the subtle flavor of oranges, do give it a try and share your feedback.

For Orange Shrikhand

• 400 gms frsh thick curd

• 11/2cup fresh orange juice

• 1 cup sugar

• 2 tsp orange zest

• 10 seedless dates

• To make Orange Shrikhand, add  orange juice, sugar in a sauce pan and bring to a boil  at medium heat for 15 min or till it gets a thick syrup consistency. To thicken it add dates puree to it and stir continuously during the boiling process. Turn of the heat and let it cool down. Once cool, grind to a fine purree.

• For hung yogurt, tie the yogurt in a muslin cloth and hang it for about 2-3 hours or overnight in the refrigerator till all the water drains from it. Grind hung curd and orange puree at low setting till it you get a  smooth texture.

• Transfer the mixture in to an airtight jar and  keep it in the fridge for 2 hrs before serving.You can keep this orange Shikhand in the fridge for later use. Serve on small tarts and decorate with grated chocolate.

Sending this to 32nd Foodie Monday Bloghop theme of ##Festivalofcolors.....
Have a safe and colorful Holi....