Ground rice in saffron-scented milk

Name: Ground rice in saffron-scented milk
Yield: Serves 4–5
Cuisine: India
Ingredients: a pinch of saffron threads, pounded; 15 ml/1 tbsp hot milk; 300 ml/10 fl oz/1¼ cups full-fat (whole) milk; 50 g/2 oz/⅓ cup ground rice; 400 ml/14 fl oz/1½ cups canned evaporated milk; 50 g/2 oz/¼ cup granulated (white) sugar; 25 g/1 oz/¼ cup blanched, flaked (sliced) almonds; 25 g/1 oz/¼ cup pistachio nuts; 5 ml/1 tsp ground cardamom; 15 ml/1 tbsp rose water; 2-3 dried ready-to-eat apricots, sliced, to garnish

Preparation info

Serves
4–5

Difficulty
Easy

Appears in

The Complete Indian Regional Cookbook

By Mridula Baljekar

Published 2017

About

Phirni is a luxurious dessert in which a little ground rice is cooked in milk flavoured with saffron and spices until it is reduced to the consistency of evaporated milk. In Kashmir, where it originates, the dessert is served in earthenware bowls, but stemmed glasses or glazed ramekins work just as well.

Ingredients

a pinch of saffron threads, pounded
15 ml/1 tbsp hot milk

Asia
India
Kashmir
Dessert
Gluten-free
Vegetarian

Method

Soak the saffron threads in the hot milk for 10 minutes, then set aside.
Brush the surface of a heavy pan with a little oil, then pour in the milk.
Sprinkle the ground rice evenly over the milk and place the pan over a