Friday, February 7, 2014

Kesari Peda | Creamy Saffron Milk Fudge


It was Basant Panchami on the 4th of February this year!! Hard to believe with spring nowhere on the horizon this year. It seems that we are in a never ending cold spell. And this was confirmed by the local groundhog who announced bright and early on Sunday morning that we are to expect two more weeks of the chilly winter. Yet despite the frigid temperatures, I heard the sweet sound of a bird on the tree outside the bedroom window on the very same morning!! Yes, the cardinal is back. Every year we are treated to its sweet music around this time of the year. And this year is no different, there she was sitting on the frozen branch of a frozen tree, announcing her arrival. Oh, joy!!

Since then, every morning I wait for the cardinal and enjoy the moment when she perches on the tree and gives us this delightful musical performance!! Spring must be somewhere in the air, notwithstanding weather predictions by critters!! So I decided I must make something sweet to celebrate. And with Basant Panchami on the 4th February, what better treat than Kesari Peda. A beautiful sweet milk fudge laced with saffron and topped with pistachios. Yummy!!


Ingredients:
11/2 cups milk powder
1/2 cup sugar
1 tbsp ghee (clarified butter)
1/4 cup milk
Saffron, large pinch
1 tbsp milk
Pistachios, as needed

Method:
  1. Warm the 1 tablespoon of milk, add the saffron. Set aside.
  2. Heat the quarter cup milk with the ghee in a small saucepan.
  3. Place the milk powder in a large microwave safe bowl.
  4. Pour the milk-ghee blend into it.
  5. Mix well making sure that all the powder is wet.
  6. Set aside for 5 minutes.
  7. Now add the sugar and the saffron milk.
  8. Stir well to ensure that all the sugar is evenly distributed.
  9. Place in the microwave for 90 seconds. Stir. Repeat.
  10. Now stir and place in the microwave for no more than 30 seconds at a time until the mix comes together.
  11. Remove the bowl from the microwave, mash the mix together using a fork.
  12. The mix will be soft and grainy. Take a tablespoon of the mix at a time, roll into a ball, then press gently between the palms of your hands to flatten slightly.
  13. Press a pistachio in the centre of the peda. Repeat for the remaining mix.
  14. Allow to cool completely, enjoy!

Good to Know
  • I used fat free milk powder, you can use full fat too.
  • Adjust quantity of sugar as per taste. At a half cup sugar, these pedas were sweet.
  • Be careful when handling the mix out of the microwave. It is very hot.
  • Always mash the mix thoroughly, this will also cool it down a bit and make it easy to handle when shaping the pedas.
Like this recipe. Tried it. Leave me a comment:)

All content, text and photographs in this blog, unless otherwise noted, are Copyright of © Annarasa 2007 - 2014. All Rights Reserved. Kindly do not reproduce without permission.

No comments:

Post a Comment

Welcome to Annarasa! I hope you enjoyed visiting my virtual kitchen. As you savour your taste tour, leave me a note, post a query, share your thoughts. I will do my best to respond to every comment :)

Apu @ Annarasa