Taste tradition at iftar and suhoor with this simple phirni

Made with good quality, long grain Basmati rice, whole fat milk, spices including cardamom, strands of saffron and topped with nuts, phirni is a dish long associated with Ramadan.

India is known for its wide array of desserts from its different states. Kheer, phirni, kheeri, payesh, payasam are all different versions of what can typically be described as rice pudding. According to multiple sources, phirni’s roots can be traced back to Persia and this could be why the Mughal dynasty is associated with the dessert.

Garnishing plays an important role in the preparation of phirni. It is topped with chopped dry fruits and raisins and served in clay cups, which lends the dish its characteristic fragrance.

This dessert is found year-round but eaten with much gusto during Ramadan, the holy month for Muslims around the world. It is rich in calcium, proteins and Vitamin A, and does not take to long to prepare, taking a total of 45 minutes to complete the dish from start to finish. Check it out:

Ingredients

Milk 1 litre

Sugar 1/2 cup Broken basmati 1/4 cup Pistachios 2 teaspoons Toasted poppy seeds 2 teaspoons Saffron stigmas 6-8 units Canola oil 2 tablespoons Green cardamom seeds 1 unit

Instructions

In a thick, heavy bottom pan, start roasting your rice in the canola oil for approximately 3-4 minutes.

Once the rice is toasted, then add milk and cardamom seeds and reduce over a weak flame until the rice is very tender and almost pasty in texture, and the quantity of the milk reduces by a quarter. Add saffron stigmas, pistachios and sugar, and stir well until the flavours mix evenly.

Check sweetness and consistency; phirni should have thick-pouring consistency.

Set phirni in ramekin

PHIRNI’S ROOTS CAN BE TRACED BACK TO PERSIA AND THIS COULD BE WHY THE MUGHAL DYNASTY IS ASSOCIATED WITH IT

dishes and let them cool initially at room temperature for 25 minutes, then chill in refrigerator below 4°C for 45 minutes. Garnish with poppy seeds and crushed nuts, and enjoy with your loved ones for suhoor, iftar or just as a dessert after a satisfying meal.