Basundi is a delightful Gujarati milk dessert that closely resembles Kesar Rabdi in its essence and taste. While making this creamy dessert requires time and patience, the end result is absolutely worth the effort.
Take my word for it; once you try this popular Indian dessert, you’ll understand why it’s a beloved choice for special occasions and festivals. In this blog post, we will share a delicious and easy-to-follow recipe for Basundi, along with its health benefits and serving suggestions.
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Why Should You Make it?
- Rich Flavor: The slow cooking process intensifies the flavors, resulting in a rich and creamy dessert that delights the palate.
- Nutritional Benefits: Made primarily from milk, Basundi is a good source of calcium and protein, making it a healthier dessert option.
- Perfect for Celebrations: Basundi is a popular dessert for festivals and special occasions, making it an excellent choice for gatherings and celebrations.
- Satisfying Texture: The combination of thickened milk and crunchy nuts creates a satisfying texture that appeals to both kids and adults.
- Easy to Make: With a straightforward recipe, Basundi can be prepared by cooks of all skill levels, ensuring everyone can enjoy this delightful dessert.
Ingredients
- Milk: Full-fat milk is essential for a rich and creamy texture, enhancing the overall flavor of the dessert.
- Sugar: Adjust the quantity to your taste. You can also use a sugar-free sweetener if you prefer a healthier option.
- Cardamom Powder adds warm, aromatic notes to the dish.
- Saffron Strands provide a unique flavor and a luxurious color.
- Nuts (Chopped Nuts - Almonds, Pistachios, Cashews): These add crunch and nutritional value, with each nut contributing its unique flavor and texture.
- Rose Petals (Optional): Edible rose petals can enhance presentation and add a subtle floral touch to the dessert.
Instructions
- Heat milk in a pan and cook till it is reduced to ¾th Keep stirring occasionally.
- Add Sugar and mix well. Add saffron, mix and cook till the mixture thickens slightly.
Tip: Use full-fat milk for the best results. The higher the fat content, the creamier and richer the basundi will be.
Tip: Keep stirring the milk frequently to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pan and burning.
- Garnish with mixed nuts and rose petals, serve warm or chilled.
Tip: Use a heavy-bottomed pan to prevent the milk from burning.
Variations:
- Flavored Basundi: Try chocolate by adding cocoa powder or mango by blending in pureed mango.
- Nutty Basundi: Use a mix of nuts like walnuts or hazelnuts.
- Fruit Garnish: Top with fresh fruits like berries or banana slices for added freshness.
Substitutions:
- Milk: Use almond or coconut milk for a dairy-free option, or coconut cream for richness.
- Sugar: Substitute with jaggery, honey, or maple syrup for natural sweetness.
- Nuts: Skip nuts or use seeds like sunflower or pumpkin seeds if allergic.
- Saffron: Replace with natural food coloring if saffron is unavailable.
- Cardamom: Use ground cinnamon or allspice as an alternative.
Storage
Basundi can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Make sure to cool it down completely before storing it in the refrigerator.
How to serve
Basundi can be served chilled or at room temperature. It is often garnished with chopped nuts and saffron strands. You can also serve it with puris or rotis for a delicious and filling meal.
If you are not particularly worried about the calorie intake, basundi with jalebi is one of best Gujarati breakfast you can have.
FAQ
No, this basundi recipe is not suitable for diabetics as it contains a high amount of sugar. However, you can use sugar substitutes like stevia or jaggery to make a diabetic-friendly version of basundi.
Yes, you can make vegan basundi by using plant-based milk like almond milk or coconut milk instead of dairy milk. You can also use sugar substitutes like maple syrup or agave nectar to make it vegan-friendly.
Yes, you can make basundi in advance and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Just make sure to cool it down completely before storing it in the refrigerator.
While you can use low-fat milk, it may not yield the same rich and creamy texture. Full-fat milk is recommended for the best results.
Absolutely! You can use jaggery, honey, or sugar-free sweeteners as alternatives, adjusting the quantity to taste.
More Such Recipe
- Paan Lassi
- Basil Seeds Sharbat
- Rose Falooda
- Cold Coffee
- Gond Katira sharbat with Rose Flavour
- Strawberry Lassi
- Mango Lassi
- Strawberry Lemonade
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📖 Recipe
Basundi Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 cups milk
- A pinch saffron strands
- 2-4 tablespoon Sugar as per your taste
- 2 tablespoon Pistachio Chopped
- 2 tablespoon Almonds chopped
- 2 tablespoon Rose Petals optional
Instructions
- Heat milk in a pan and cook till it is reduced to ¾th Keep stirring occasionally.
- Add Sugar and mix well. Add saffron, mix and cook till the mixture thickens slightly.
- Garnish with mixed nuts and rose petals ,serve warm or chilled.
Notes
- While Cooking basundi, scraping the sides of the vessel is important as it adds malaidar texture.
- You can mix in the kesar (saffron) while reducing the milk if you like the enriched flavour of saffron. If you are one of those who likes just a little hint of saffron, sprinkle it on top when it is ready.
- You can use dry fruits of your choice as this basic flavour blends well with any fruit or dry fruits.
- Any dish with milk needs to be given the required attention and constant stirring or else the milk burns.
Nutrition
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Atika Tanwar says
Since childhood, I have been showing tantrums in drinking milk. But I think I can't resist trying out this flavoured milk recipe now.