Khubani ka Meetha or Qubani ka Meetha

Khubani ka Meetha or Qubani ka Meetha ( I am not sure which spelling is correct. So decided to give both :) ) is a yummy dessert that I happened to taste in Hyderabad. For people who are not familiar with Khubani Ka Meetha: It is a delicious dessert made from dried apricots. Very popular in Hyderabad and served most commonly in the Hyderabadi Weddings. The word Khubani in Urdu means Apricot and Meetha as you know means Sweet. 

It was at one of our team lunches in Hyderabad that I first tasted  "Khubani Ka Meetha". I was told to try the Khubani ka Meetha combined with Vanilla Icecream and I must say, its a heavenly combination. Recently I came across Roha of Hyderabadi Cuisine blog's recipe for Khubani Ka Meetha and was suddenly flooded with my Hyderabad memories. Checked out the recipe casually, never imagining that I would make it one day. I was amazed to find that the recipe is very very easy to make and requires minimal ingredients and effort. Seeing that I decided to try it out on a whim. When I told my hubby, I was very much surprised to find that its among my hubby's favorite dessert combination. Bought dried apricot the very next day and made it. Came out very well. My tasters - My hubby and my neighbour cum friend approved it and I decided to post the recipe for Jagruti's Potluck Party , Cyber style. Try it out guys with Vanilla Icecream. Its Yummy!!! 

Khubani Ka Meetha or Qubani Ka Meetha:

Prep Time: 8hrs (Soaking apricots overnight)
Cook Time: 40 min
Total Time: 40 min excluding soaking time

Ingredients:

1/2 cup Dried Apricot ( Use 8 - 10 )
2 - 3 Tbsp Sugar as per taste
1 Tbsp Cardamom Powder
Blanched Almonds for Garnishing

Prepping:

Wash the dried apricots properly and soak them overnight. 

Method of Preparing:

Step 1: 

Next day, you can find that the apricots have swollen to almost twice their size. Now carefully remove the seeds or Kernels from with in the apricots. Dont throw them away. Blanch them and use for garnishing.

Also do not throw away the water used for soaking the apricots. We are going to boil the apricots using the same water.

Note: Some store brought apricots may not have Kernels in them. It happened with me and I skipped garnishing with the Kernels.

Step 2:

In a pan, boil the apricots along with the water used for soaking. The water level should be above the apricots. but not too much. 

Using a spoon, mash the apricots. Let it boil for 15 - 20 min. Stir in between.

Step 3:

Add 2 - 3 Tbsp of sugar. Better to add 2 Tbsp sugar first and then do a taste test. If you feel more sweetness is needed, then add sugar accordingly. 

Step 4:

Add 1 Tbsp cardamom powder and cover the pan and let it cook for 2 min.

Step 5:

Open the cover and let the mashed apricots cook till it becomes thick in consistency. 

I let it become a little bit more thick after it attained the state in the above picture. 
Took around 10 - 15 min for me. Switch off. Garnish with blanched apricot Kernels or sliced almonds or any other nuts of your choice.

Serve hot or chilled. Combine with Vanilla Ice cream or custard.

Note: The dessert is good enough to enjoy it without any ice cream or custard. 

So here is my dessert for our potluck party. Hope you enjoy :)

Sending the recipe to "Authentic Indian Sweets with giveway" at Nivedhanam.