Shrikhand And Pooris

Serves: 6

Terence Turner

1 January 1970

Based on User reviews:

49

Spice

41

Sweetness

53

Sourness

43

mins

Prep time (avg)

6.3

Difficulty

Ingredients:

1 tsp

Salt

Directions:

1

Make the shrikhand: Line a large bowl with a double layer of cheesecloth

2

Pour the yogurt onto the cheesecloth, gather the corners of the cloth and tie into a bundle

3

Then tie the bundle onto a wooden spoon

4

Lay the spoon across the top of a pot so the bundle hangs in the pot; drain in the refrigerator overnight

5

Empty the thickened yogurt into a bowl; whisk until very smooth

6

Stir in 1/2 cup superfine sugar, the cardamom, nutmeg and saffron (if using)

7

Taste and add more sugar, if desired

8

Shrikhand is supposed to be slightly tart

9

If it's not, add some or all of the sour cream

10

Stir most of the raisins and pistachios into the shrikhand; sprinkle the remainder on top

11

Cover and chill for at least 1 hour

12

Make the pooris: Mix the flour and salt in a large bowl

13

Rub 1 tablespoon vegetable oil into the flour; make a well in the center and gradually pour in 2/3 cup water

14

Mix with your hands until the dough forms a ball, then knead on a clean surface until smooth but still slightly tacky, about 5 minutes

15

Cover with a damp cloth and let rest, 30 minutes

16

Divide the dough in half; roll each portion into a 1/16-inch-thick round

17

Cut out about 20 circles using a 2 1/2-inch round cookie cutter

18

Heat 2 inches vegetable oil in a large saucepan until a deep-fry thermometer registers 350 degrees F

19

Line a colander with paper towels

20

Fry the pooris in batches until golden brown, 1 minute per side

21

Remove with a slotted spoon; drain in the colander

22

Serve the hot pooris with the cold shrikhand

23

Photograph by Charles Masters