Strawberry Phirni

Another one of the strawberry experiments ! My most favourite so far though..the only thing missing was the mitti ka kulhadh (earthen pot) to set the phirni in :( and yes! some rose petals for the garnish would have added so much glamour to this super easy and really worth trying dessert.

Ingredients (serves 4-5)

1/2 litre milk (I use regular toned milk)
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 cup rice
8-10 ripe medium strawberries
1/2 teaspoon rose water (or kewra essence)
1 teaspoon elaichi powder

To garnish
Saffron threads
Pista

1. Soak the rice in water for half an hour. Drain most of the water and grind the rice into a coarse paste, it should feel grainy to touch.
2. Bring the milk to boil in a heavy bottomed pan. Add the rice paste and reduce the flame to sim,keep stirring so that the rice does not stick to the bottom of the pan.
3. Continue to cook till the milk becomes really thick and the rice is cooked, roughly takes 15 -20 minutes. You can taste the rice to check if it is cooked.
4. Add the 1/2 cup of sugar and the elaichi powder. Cook for another 5 minutes and turn off the gas.
5. Cool completely.
6. In another pan, chop the strawberries into small pieces and add the 2 tablespoons of sugar and keep the pan on a slow flame. Keep cooking till the strawberries turn soft and the mixture has a sauce like texture (see photo below)
7. Cool the strawberry sauce completely.
8. Mix the cooled phirni with the strawberry sauce. Add the rose essence.
9. Pour into the serving dish and garnish with saffron and pistas..for a greater effect, pour into individual pots.

The strawberry sauce