Shufta

Share with:


So what’s for dessert? This is not something you will hear a true blood Kashmiri ask. And that’s not because we don’t like all things sweet, but because we just don’t have the tradition of serving sweets or desserts after a meal.  We eat the chocolates and the Mithai and we also do make a few sweet things like Kheer, Modur pulao ( rice cooked with nuts and sugar) and phirni. We serve the Modur pulao at the beginning of the meal ( beat that) and we make kheer on auspicious occasions as an offering to the deity.

It did not take a lot of effort on my part to appreciate a good dessert. I just needed a subtle push now and then. After all I am a mere human who succumbed to the eternal sinful sweet delights. Now I do ask – ‘What’s for Dessert?’ and draw a scowl from my mom or grand mom!

Featured today is a very Kashmiri sweet delight. I am not sure if we categorize this as a dessert traditionally. But its quiet a delightful mix.

serves 6

Plan:

  • 4 oz Paneer
  • Ghee for frying [about 2 – tbs]
  • 1/4 cup almonds
  • 1/4 cup raisins
  • 3 Tbs fresh coconut cut into bite size pieces
  • 4 dates, cut into thin strips
  • 1/4 C cashew nuts
  • 1/2 C Water
  • 1/2 C Sugar
  • 1/4tsp Cardamom Powder
  • a few strands saffron

Procedure

  1. Cut the paneer in bite size cubes – about 1/2 inch
  2. Heat ghee in a kadai or pan
  3. Lightly fry the paneer cubes
  4. Remove with a slotted spoon and put aside
  5. Now in the remaining ghee, saute  – the almonds, coconut,Cashews, raisins & dates [about a min on medium heat]
  6. Remove from heat and set aside
  7. In a separate pan, bring the water to a boil and add the sugar
  8. Stir in the sugar until dissolved and the water starts to boil again.
  9. Simmer for about 5 – 6 minutes
  10. Crush the saffron strands and add them in. Also add the cardamom.
  11. After  5- 6 minutes add the paneer and the other mixed nuts and dry fruits
  12. Cook for a couple of minutes on medium heat.
  13. Switch off heat, cover the pan and let it rest for half an hour.

Notes:

  • The sugar syrup should be thick and the ingredients should be nicely soaked in it.
  • Serve this warm. Not room temperature, but not hot either.
  • Serve about 2-3 heaped Tbs per person – great things are served in small portions 😉

 

 

Share with: