Strawberry Phirni (Strawberry Rice Pudding)

I distinctly remember the first time I had Phirni (Rice Pudding), a delectable and popular Indian dessert, as a kid. It was in a garden party on a beautiful summer night, with the soft white light of the full moon bathing everything in ethereal luminosity. The pudding tasted as delicious & exquisite as a heavenly nectar, like somebody had extracted white, sweet, creamy & cool moondrops. On instinct, I closed my eyes to savor the smooth blissfulness of this luscious delicacy, as it caressed my taste buds with its luxuriant texture & ambrosial sweetness. Ever since then, this rice pudding is my dessert of choice whenever I want a trip to the moon without stepping out of my home :)

However, being the incorrigible tinkerer, I just had to make my own variant of the traditional Phirni. Ergo, I added strawberries to provide a zesty fruity twist that complements the subtle sweetness of the creamy rice pudding - & going by the rave reviews I receive every time I serve this dessert to my family & guests, I guess I did the right thing :) A spoonful of this sweet concoction is sure to bring a smile to your lips, & an entire bowl of the Strawberry Rice Pudding will set your spirits flying high - don't forget to fasten your seat belts :)

STRAWBERRY  RICE  PUDDING  (PHIRNI)  RECIPE

Serves : 3-4

Ingredients:

16 fresh Strawberries
4 tbsp Rice
1 qt (946 ml) Whole Milk
6 tbsp White granulated Sugar, or to taste
1 tsp Rose Extract

For garnishing:

4 fresh Strawberries; washed, hulled & sliced
8-10 Pistachio slivers; optional

How to make Strawberry Phirni

1. Wash the rice thoroughly till the water runs clear. Soak the rice in 1 cup of water for half an hour. Strain the rice and grind it to a coarse paste along with 2 tbsp of milk.
2. Chop half of the strawberries. Keep aside. 
3. Grind the remaining strawberries to a fine paste. Keep aside.
4. Boil milk in a deep heavy-bottomed pan. Add ground rice to the boiling milk and mix well.
5. Reduce the heat and let the mixture simmer, stirring at intervals (& scrap the sides of the pan as well) until the milk thickens to a creamy consistency.
6. Add sugar & rose extract and stir till sugar dissolves. Adjust sugar to your taste.
7. Remove from heat. Allow it to cool to room temperature. Add chopped strawberries & puree. Refrigerate.
8. Serve strawberry phirni chilled and garnish with pistachios and sliced strawberries. 

TIPS:

Do not reheat after adding strawberries as the milk may curdle.