Zoh Recipes · Yogurt
A shrikhand-inspired dessert using thick yogurt, kesar and elaichi, with measured sweetness and an optional nut topping.
Best for: A make-ahead dessert for a small family meal.
Estimated time: 10 minutes preparation + 10 minutes saffron steeping + 30 minutes chilling · Yield: 4 small dessert portions. Uses finished yogurt; no additional fermentation.
Ingredients · Method · Storage
Ingredients
- 400 g plain thick Greek-style yogurt or prepared hung dahi
- 30 g icing sugar, sifted
- 10 ml warm drinking water
- 0.05 g kesar (saffron), from a pre-weighed packet
- 0.5 g ground elaichi (cardamom)
- 15 g unsalted pistachios, chopped, optional
Method
- Steep saffron in the warm water for 10 minutes, then let it cool.
- Stir the yogurt gently with icing sugar and cardamom until smooth.
- Fold in the saffron water. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Divide into four portions. Add pistachios just before serving, if using.
Alternatives for your kitchen
Without saffron, make an elaichi version. For an aam variation, fold in 60 g thick mango purée and expect a softer dessert. If your yogurt is runny, choose a thicker yogurt before starting rather than adding more sugar to thicken it. A thick plain plant-based yogurt can be tried, but the result will differ.
Serving suggestions
Serve chilled in small bowls with sliced seasonal fruit. Omit nuts for a nut-free topping and check all ingredient labels.
Nutrition tip
Sugar, jaggery and honey all contribute added sugars when used to sweeten a dessert. This recipe uses a measured amount of sugar; adjust future batches to your preference rather than assuming a different sweetener makes it sugar-free.
Storage
Cover and refrigerate promptly. Follow the yogurt label’s storage instructions and use clean utensils. Keep covered in the refrigerator until serving; add the pistachios only to the portions being served.
Allergens
Contains milk when made with dairy yogurt. Soy alternatives contain soy. Optional pistachios are tree nuts. Check labels for every ingredient and substitute.
Questions
Is this traditional shrikhand?
It is a shrikhand-inspired shortcut with ready-thickened yogurt. Traditional methods and regional preferences vary; this page does not claim to reproduce all of them.
Can I use ordinary dahi?
Use prepared hung dahi for a thick result. Ordinary unstrained dahi will give a softer dessert.
Make the yogurt base at home
Choose Zoh’s Greek yogurt guide for a creamy base or the Bulgarian yogurt guide for everyday dahi-style meals. Use the finished, chilled yogurt in this recipe; do not add starter powder directly to the dish.
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