BASUNDI (feeds 5-6 approx.)



Basundi

Today's recipe is a sweet dish made from whole milk. This dessert reminds me of my childhood days. We had basundi in our house for a lot of occasions, sometimes even without occassions :) I love sweets and so i believe there shouldn't be any occassion to prepare sweet dishes. Enough about myself, let's focus on our recipe. Basundi is  famous in many parts of India. This dish is time-consuming but needs very few ingredients. There is one more dish called "RABDI" which is richer than basundi (recipe follows).  If you start making  basundi and have more time, you can make rabdi too, this way you get to taste 2 sweet dishes, the more the merrier :)

Basundi

Ingredients :-

1 gallon whole milk
1 1/2 - 1 3/4 cup sugar
25-30 almonds
10-15 cardamom seeds freshly ground
1/4 tsp nutmeg pwd.

Directions :-

1.  First of all, soak almonds in warm water. The reason   
     behind this is till the basundi is done, they become soft
     and  this makes it easy to slice them.

2.  Making basundi is a very simple process, but you need to
     stir it constantly else milk will stick to the bottom and
     basundi will have a burnt smell which no one will like.

3.  Start boiling the milk in a heavy bottom deep vessel on
     medium heat. This is going to take a while, about 1 - 1 1/2
     hour. Yes, you read it right, it is a long process and you
     need to keep an eye on it every minute, stirring it
     constantly but trust me the outcome will be delicious!!!

4.  After more than an hour, you will see that the milk
     changes its color. When it turns pale white in color and
     milk thickens a bit, add sugar and cardamom-nutmeg
     powder to it. Stir till sugar melts, about 5-7 mins., turn off
     the heat.

5.  Peel the almonds or leave its skin on and slice them
     diagonally. Sprinkle them over the basundi. Chill and
     serve.

Tips :-

1.  Basundi is a long process to make so i suggest you to make
     it in advance. If you want it for lunch, make it the
     previous evening and let it sit through the night in the
     refrigerator.

2.  Basundi and puri is a very famous combination. Other
     things, which go along with it are aloo sukhi bhaji and
     vegetable pulav. Try this menu, it is short and sweet :)

Rabdi :-

If you want to make basundi and rabdi both, take some thickened milk in another pan (before adding sugar) and keep stirring and boiling for some more time. Finally, it will be in semi-solid state, now add sugar. Once sugar melts, add sliced almonds. Chill and serve. Both sweets stays fresh for about a week when refrigerated.

Rabdi can be either by served by itself or pour chilled rabdi over hot jalebis and serve..... Yummmm..... Basically if you like sweets made from milk then you are on the right page :) Enjoy!!!