Pistachio Kulfi
Pistachio kulfi is a dense, slowly frozen Indian dessert made by reducing sweetened milk on the stove before adding ground pistachios and cardamom. Unlike churned ice cream, kulfi sets in molds without any agitation, giving it a firm, concentrated texture. Allow at least 6 hours of freezing time after about 30 minutes of stovetop prep.
Equipment
- Heavy-bottom saucepan
- Mortar and pestle
- Freezer-safe container
Ingredients
- 1 quart full-fat milk use organic, if possible
- ¾ cup sugar
- ¼ teaspoon cardamom powder freshly ground for best flavor
- ½ cup pistachios finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch mixed with water to form a slurry
Instructions
- Bring the full-fat milk to a gentle boil in a heavy-bottom saucepan, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Once boiling, lower the heat and simmer for about 30 minutes, stirring continuously, until it reduces to approximately half its original volume. You should notice a thick, creamy consistency.
- In a separate small bowl, mix the cornstarch with a little water to form a smooth slurry.
- Slowly add the sugar and cardamom powder to the reduced milk, stirring constantly until the sugar dissolves completely.
- Stir in the cornstarch slurry and continue cooking for another 10 minutes until the mixture thickens further.
- Add the finely chopped pistachios and mix well. Remove from the heat and let the mixture cool to room temperature.
- Pour the mixture into a freezer-safe container and place it in the freezer for at least 8 hours or until fully set.
Notes
- To enhance the nuttiness of the pistachio, consider lightly toasting them before chopping.
- For a vegan version, substitute the milk with almond or coconut milk, though the final texture may vary.
- If you lack a mortar and pestle, you may use pre-ground cardamom to save time, despite a potential slight compromise on flavor.
- Serve the kulfi with a drizzle of rose syrup and a sprinkle of additional pistachios for a stunning presentation.
Nutrition
Calories: 259kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 7gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 19mgSodium: 61mgPotassium: 343mgFiber: 1gSugar: 33gVitamin A: 298IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 205mgIron: 0.4mg
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