Recipe: Shrikhand

Satisfy your sweet tooth with shrikhand, a delicious yogurt-based Indian dessert. Use good quality yogurt with active cultures and it will also feed your gut with beneficial bacteria.

Yogurt has many health benefits. It is high in protein and healthy fats and has impressive amounts of calcium to promote both healthy bones and strong muscles. It can also be very soothing to an irritated gut. In other words, you never have to feel guilty when you enjoy this delicious dessert.

RECIPE: SHRIKHAND

Ingredients

1 32 oz container of plain Greek yogurt
¼ C maple syrup
1 C of pistachios, lightly crushed with mortar and pestle, or thinly sliced
8 green cardamom pods, hulled and seeds crushed to fine powder
½ t saffron strands, in 1 T milk
A few strands of saffron and some crushed pistachios for garnish

Instructions

1. Tie the yogurt in a cheesecloth and leave it hanging over an empty bowl until all the excess whey drains out (3–4 hours).
2. Combine the drained yogurt with the other ingredients in a bowl and mix well.
3. Garnish with saffron strands and pistachios.
4. Enjoy cold or at room temperature. Shrikhand keeps in the refrigerator for 2–3 days.