### Strawberry Phirni Recipe: A Simple Dessert Crafted from Rice, Milk, Sugar, and Indian Strawberries
Strawberry phirni is a rich, fruity dessert ideal for commemorating special moments like birthdays, gatherings, or Valentine’s Day. With summer drawing near and the fresh strawberry season winding down, now is the perfect opportunity to take advantage of these delectable berries in your recipes. This recipe brings a charming twist to the classic Indian dessert, phirni, by adding fresh strawberry puree.
#### What is Phirni?
For those who are not acquainted with phirni, it is a classic Indian rice pudding made from full cream milk, a paste of soaked rice, sugar, cardamom, and topped with sliced pistachios or almonds. Its roots are found in the Middle East, eventually reaching the Indian subcontinent with the Mughals. Variants of phirni can feature flavors such as rose syrup, mango puree, saffron, chocolate, or, in this instance, strawberry.
#### Ingredients
– 1/2 cup basmati rice (soaked for 30 minutes)
– 4 cups full cream milk
– 1/2 cup sugar (adjust as desired)
– 1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder
– 1 cup fresh strawberry puree (or strawberry coulis)
– Sliced pistachios or almonds for decoration
#### Instructions
1. **Prepare the Rice Paste**: Drain the soaked basmati rice and blend it into a smooth paste, adding a bit of water if needed.
2. **Cook the Milk**: In a heavy-bottomed pot, bring the full cream milk to a boil. Once it reaches a boil, lower the heat.
3. **Add Rice Paste**: Gradually incorporate the rice paste into the boiling milk, stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Cook over low heat for around 15-20 minutes, or until the mixture thickens.
4. **Sweeten and Flavor**: Stir in the sugar and cardamom powder until the sugar is completely dissolved.
5. **Incorporate Strawberry Puree**: Take the pan off the heat and let it cool slightly. Once it has cooled, blend in the fresh strawberry puree, ensuring it is fully mixed.
6. **Serve**: Transfer the strawberry phirni into serving bowls. For an extra touch, drizzle some strawberry coulis on top and swirl it to achieve a marbled look. Garnish with cut pistachios or almonds for added color and crunch.
#### Enjoying Strawberry Phirni
Strawberry phirni is not only visually stunning with its pink color but also provides a lovely mix of sweetness and tartness from the strawberries. It makes for a fantastic dessert to wow family and friends, ranking among the finest Indian sweet dishes incorporating strawberries. Serve chilled for a refreshing dessert that encapsulates the essence of summer.
This straightforward dessert is guaranteed to become a favorite, particularly during strawberry season. Savor the creamy indulgence of strawberry phirni as the ideal conclusion to any meal or a special delight on festive occasions.