Shrikhand

Shrikhand is specially prepared on the occasion of Gokulashtami festival.

Ingredients:
1 1/2 kg curds,
8 cardamoms pounded
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1/2 tsp. saffron crushed and dissolved in a little milk,
pinch of nutmeg
1 1/2 tbsp. each of almonds and pistachios slivers.

Method:

• Put curds in a square cloth, gather the ends, tie and hung the bundle on a hook till all the water drains out. This is the "chakka".
• Rub this chakka through a stainless steel sieve, placed over a bowl.
• Put sugar in the sieve and rub with a round spoon.
• The well-blended sugar and the chakka would collect in the bowl. It would have silken-smooth texture.
• Add the saffron-milk, cardamoms, nutmeg and mix well.
• Spread the almond and pistachio slivers on top.
• To impart a beautiful look, bits of silver varg may be sprinkled.
• Chill in the "fridge" and serve cold with puris.