Mango Shrikhand (Amrakhand)

Mango Shrikhand is a yummy sweet from India which is often had along with the main course as an accompaniment with puris. It has a taste similar to that of cheesecake but in texture it is like mousse. Shrikhand is mainly made of sour cream cheese or yogurt. Either whey is drained off curdled milk or from yogurt and you add sugar and other flavors to get this sweet and sour delicacy.

Ingredients:

• 5 cups plain yogurt
• 1-1/2 cups mango pulp (I used sweetened store bought alphonso mango pulp)
• 1/2 cup sugar (add more sugar as per taste)
• 1/4 cup chopped nuts (pistachio, almonds)
• 1 tsp cardamom powder
• few strands saffron about a pinch

Directions:

• Drain whey off yogurt using a cheesecloth for 7-8 hours or overnight is better.
• Remove the yogurt and but it in a bowl. You will probably be left with about 2 cups of yogurt.
• Put the yogurt in fridge for at least half an hour till you finish off preparing all other ingredients.
• Add sugar to the yogurt and mix it well.
• Take 2 tbsp mango pulp, warm it and rub saffron strands in it. Mix it with the yogurt
• Mix mango pulp and cardamom powder
• Add more sugar or mango pulp if needed but let the consistency of the shrikhand be creamy and not watery
• Add chopped nut and save some to garnish on top.
•  Chill in refrigerator for 2-3 hours before serving.

Other tips:

• If you want plain shrikhand omit mango pulp and rest of the ingredients remain the same. Just rub saffron in 2-3 tbsp milk instead of mango pulp.
• If you do not have time to wait overnight you can make instant plain shrikhand using 2 cups sour cream and add sugar as per taste and all other flavors. To make instant mango shrikhand you can use a mix of 1 cup sour cream, 1 pack cream cheese, and mango pulp and sugar as per taste.