Gulab Phirnee: A Diwali Dessert

Tracing its roots to the Middle East, phirnee or ‘rice pudding’ is a dessert enjoyed by people of various cultures. Phirnee is also known as the more exotic cousin of the traditional kheer. It is said that a bowl of kheer is like a warm hug and a bowl of phirnee like a breath of cool, fresh air.

One such phirnee that not only renders that coolness but also stirs up some extra sweetness is the gulab phirnee. A fragrant and delicious rice dessert that is flavoured with rose petals, it goes particularly well with a traditional Indian meal that is laid out during the festival of lights!

Ingredients

Basmati rice – 6 tbsp

Whole milk – 1 ltr

Condensed milk – 400 gm

Water – ½ cup

Green cardamom – ½ tsp; freshly ground

Rosewater – 1 tsp

Saffron threads – 1 pinch (leave aside a few threads for the garnish)

For the garnish

 Pistachios – 1 tbsp; crushed

Rose petals – 1 tbsp

Silver leaf – 1 pc

Method

1. Soak the rice in water for an hour.
2. Strain and reserve all the water except for just 1 tablespoon.
3. Grind the rice with the remaining water to a fine paste. Keep aside.
4. Heat the milk and the condensed milk in a wide saucepan for about 5 – 6 mins. The liquid should be warm, not boiling.
5. Add the rice paste and whisk it to ensure no lumps remain.
6. If it starts to thicken too much, add the reserved soaking liquid.
7. Cook on a very low heat, stirring it all the time, until the milk forms a custard-like consistency. It takes between 20 and 30 minutes to thicken.
8. Add the ground cardamom, rosewater and some saffron. Remove from the fire.
9. Keep stirring as the mixture cools down.
10. Set the phirnee in glass or terracotta bowls and refrigerate covered.
11. Garnish with the silver leaf, crushed pistachio, rose petals and saffron.

This simple but refreshing recipe is a sure hit at all Diwali parties. Do share with us your experience when making it in the comments section below.