Dudhi Basundi

Savour this scrumptious Dudhi Basundi on any fasting day or as a perfect dessert for any festive occasion. This sweetened and creamy pudding is prepared with milk, grated bottle gourd, sugar and infused with aromatic spices such as cardamom and nutmeg powder. Then this chilled and divine Dudhi Basundi is lovingly adorned with pistachio and almond slivers, saffron threads and edible 24ct, gold leaf!

Dudhi or Lauki is full of vitamin C and potassium and many other vitamins and minerals which are necessary for part of our balanced diet. I know many of us cringe at the sight of dudhi dishes, but let me tell you my this Dudhi Basundi will jazz up your dudhi experience like never before.

A few weeks ago I decided to make Dudhi Basundi, on my dad's Shanti Puja Path as I wanted to prepare all the dishes or ingredients he loved eating. The contrast of garnishing, rich and creamy flavours and elegant looking Dudhi Basundi turned out delicious and simply satisfying. This Dudhi Basundi is as simple as making Dudhi Kheer, the only difference is that texture wise Basundi is thicker and creamier.

Dudhi/Lauki or Bottle Gourd was my dad's favourite vegetable. Every other day he would use this humble yet nutritious vegetable one or the other way in his cooking. I wasn't much interested in using dudhi until he told me to use it a few years back since then this boring and bland vegetable is a star in my cooking, be it a Dudhi Muthia, Dudhi na Thepla, Dudhi Khichdi, Dudhi Halwa or few delicious sabji or curry.

If you love devouring Dudhi Kheer, surely Dudhi Basundi is a treat for your tastebuds! Every spoonful of this yummy delicacy is a sheer delight for any occasion!

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Dudhi Basundi

by Jagruti September-25-2017

Dudhi Basundi, a delicious thickened and creamier dessert is perfect for any fast or served on any festive occasion. Stewed grated bottle gourd in ghee and milky goodness, the final results give you creamier spoonful dessert with the warmth of cardamom and saffron and crunch from the pistachio and almond mix.

Ingredients

• 250g Grated bottle gourd
• 1 ltr. Full fat milk
• 250ml. Cream
• 1 tin (397g) Condensed milk
• Pinch Cardamom Powder
• Pinch Nutmeg powder (optional)
• 2 tbsp. Ghee
• 2-3 tbsp. Almond and Pistachio slivers
• Pinch Saffron threads
• Edible gold or silver leaf

Instructions

In one heavy bottom pan add milk and bring it to boil.Let it simmer 10-12 minutes. Keep stirring in between to prevent sticking milk.Now add cream and let the mixture simmer for another 5-7 minutes.In another pan or Kadai heat ghee and add grated dudhi.Saute dudhi for 8-10 minutes then add into milk and cream mixture.Cook this mixture for another 20-22 minutes until you get thickened mixture.Now add condensed milk and let the Basundi cook further for five minutes.Add cardamom and nutmeg powder.Let the basundi cool and chill in the refrigerator.Serve in a serving bowl, garnish it with almond and pistachio slivers, saffron threads and edible silver or gold leaf or use edible dried flowers.Enjoy!

Details

Prep time: 5 mins Cook time: 40 mins Total time: 45 mins Yield: 4-6 servings