Mango Shrikhand

Its hot, hot and hot :( Temperatures are soaring here and the last week end, the temperature reached the 40 C mark. Did I mention humid ? I feel like I am back in my home town sweating in the humid weather. We didnt venture out much on the week end. I would have loved to go to some local farm and pick some berries. But because of the hot and humidity, I cancelled the plan. Sitting inside home has become difficult without AC. If it had been Kerala, I would have sat outside in the steps with my mother, reading or talking, swinging the hand fan very fast, waiting for a breeze to come. Would have gone to the Shankumugam beach in the evening. Or spent in our terrace with lovely breeze all around. Cant imagine AC at home. Here in US, not a single leaf moves right now and the only sound that I can hear is that of the ac's from different apartment. No birds or squirrels can be seen anywhere. So when temperature is this high, we obviously turn to some food to help cool us down. Previously my hubby would have loved to enjoy ice creams after every meal. But after several fights about health concern, he has shifted to frozen yoghurt. I dont prefer that as well due to their additional sugar content. And the low fat or fat less versions arent much better. Thats when I thought of Shrikhand which is hung curd whipped to cream like consistency. And I had half a can of Alphonso Mango and added that to make a yummy Mango Shrikhand. 

Mango Shrikhand: Serves two

2 cups Yoghurt
Honey 
1 - 1.5 cups of Alphonso Mango Pulp

Prepping:

Step 1: In a bowl, mix yoghurt and honey well. Add honey to make the yoghurt lightly sweet. Do not add too much honey as we will add mango pulp to the mixture and thats sweet as well. 

Step 2: In a Muslin cloth, add the yoghurt - honey mixture. Tightly wrap the muslin cloth and squeeze out the water. Now hang the muslin cloth in the fridge with a bowl underneath to capture the water drops that may fall from the muslin cloth. Hang the muslin cloth inside the fridge for around 8 hours or overnight. 

Method of Preparing:

Step 1: 

After 8 hrs, remove the muslin cloth from the fridge. Transfer the yoghurt - honey mixture to a bowl and whisk nicely. When you take out the muslin cloth from the fridge itself, the yoghurt - honey mixture will be having a cream like consistency. Just whisk for 3 - 5 min. 

Step 2:

Now you can add the mango pulp to the yoghurt- honey mixture. Mix well. 

Yummy Mango Shrikhand is ready. Garnish with raw mango pieces or some nuts of your choice or even Saffron strands. Enjoy the awesome dessert. 

Notes:

• You can add fruits like Strawberry or Orange or Blueberry instead of Mango.
• With out adding fruits, you can simply flavor the Shrikhand with Elaichi (Cardamom) as well. 

Sending the recipe to Nivedhanam's blog anniversary event with giveway for authentic sweets.