Sweet on Kvalifood

Almond Barfi

Mon, 02 Jan 2023 19:38:58 +0100

Barfi is an Indian confection made by slowly cooking milk down to a thick, firm mass and then stirring in sugar, almonds, and cardamom. The name comes from the Urdu word “barf”, meaning snow, and refers to its pale colour.

It is one of the most widespread Indian mithai (sweets) and is often given as a gift at weddings, Diwali, and other celebrations. The mixture is cut into squares and eaten as a small dessert or snack with tea.

Kulfi

Mon, 22 Feb 2021 18:39:32 +0100

Kulfi is Indian ice cream. The milk is slowly cooked down to half its volume, so the sugar caramelises slightly and the milk sugars concentrate. The dense, almost fudge-like texture comes from the evaporated milk, not from churning — kulfi freezes still without being stirred, so no air is incorporated.

Almonds and cardamom are the classic version. Rose water gives it the characteristic floral note that sets kulfi apart from Western ice cream. Traditionally served in cone-shaped metal moulds and sliced, but any mould will do.

Mawa

Thu, 11 Jul 2013 07:10:53 +0200

Mawa, also known as khoya, is milk cooked down to a thick, dry mass. It is a cornerstone of the Indian dessert kitchen and is used in barfi, peda, gulab jamun, and a wide range of other sweets. Mawa can also be served as it is, cut into small pieces and topped with chopped pistachios and dried rose petals.

The principle is simple: whole milk is slowly cooked down until almost all the water is gone and the milk sugars have begun to caramelise. Along the way the milk goes through stages — first creamy, then lumpy, then almost dry. It takes time and regular stirring, but requires no specialist equipment.