Cherry Shrikhand
Shrikhand is a yogurt based dessert popular in India, mainly in the western parts of India.
The name shrikhand is derived from the Sanskrit word “Shikharini” meaning curd prepared with added sugar, flavouring agents (saffron etc.), fruits and nuts.
It's derived from Shir + Khand: shir or Milk (curd is prepared from milk)+ khand or Sugar.
Shrikhand itself is a very delicious dessert and is a very simple recipe, wherein the addition of any fruit makes it all the more scrumptious.
Making shrikhand is easy but time consuming, although it does not require any cooking or preparation time. You just need to pre-plan. We need thick, hung yogurt/curd (The yogurt used is full fat yogurt).
For that, water or whey has to be drained out completely. This will take about 4-5 hours at least. So plan ahead of time, tie the yogurt in muslin/cotton cloth and hang it over a strainer. Let it drain.
Once you get the thick, strained yogurt aka ‘Chakka’, you will need to add the rest of the ingredients and mix. It will take roughly 10-15 minutes and you are done.
I love this dessert as it’s very easy to make and is a no fuss dessert. The addition of fruits makes it all the more healthy, nutritious and delicious.
Once you have your hung Yogurt ready it takes just 5 minutes to make it. Purée the fruit, add it with hung yogurt along with sugar powder, mix well and it’s done.
This time I have added cherries to the hung yogurt. The taste was incredibly flavorful and delicious. And instead of sugar powder I have added stevia. It’s a completely healthy, guilt free and a diet-friendly treat!!
You can either purée cherries and make a paste or keep them a little chunky. I like small chunks in my Shrikhand so instead of making a smooth purée of cherries I have kept them to a chunky consistency.
Cherries are one of our favorite superfoods. Cherries are loaded with powerful antioxidants.
Everyone knows how delicious cherries can be, but did you know that they can also relieve pain, help you avoid premature aging, and add years to your life?
They taste great and their deep red color is due to antioxidants known as anthocyanins, which may help reduce inflammation and lower both triglycerides and cholesterol.
Added bonus? Tart cherries may also be helpful for sleep because they're one of the few foods that naturally contain melatonin, which help regulate the body’s internal clock.
They also contain anti-inflammatory compounds which help in arthritis pain relief and reduce belly fat.
One look at this scrumptious share and I am sure you just can't stop yourself from feasting on them.
Let's make this super easy and super yummy dessert by looking at the ingredient list.
INGREDIENTS:
Yogurt/ Curd- 2 cups
(or Greek Yogurt- 500 grams)
Sugar Powder- 1/4th cup
OR
Stevia- 5-6 sachets
Cherries- 12-13
For Garnishing-
Chopped cherries 4-5
Pista slivers- 1 teaspoon
Chopped cashews- 1 teaspoon
DIRECTIONS:
Hung the curd in a muslin or cheese cloth for 4-5 hours or preferably overnight.
For this take a deep bowl and a strainer, the arrangement should be so as that the strainer should not be touching the base of the bowl.
You will see that the whey will start collecting in the bowl. Now keep this whole thing into the refrigerator for at least 4-5 hours. You can keep it overnight too.
After 5 hours, all the liquid/whey has been drained out. You will left with very thick yogurt or Chakka.
Pit the cherries (cut them in half and take out the seed) and Purée them to chunky consistency.
You can Purée them to smooth consistency too. I like it bit chunky so kept it to that consistency.
After that take that hung curd.
Add in the the cherries purée and stevia/ sugar powder.
With the help of blender blend to a smooth consistency.
Pour shrikhand in individual serving bowls.
Keep in the refrigerator for another hour or so to chill it.
Serve the chilled Cherry Shrikhand garnished with some chopped cherries, pista slivers and chopped cashews. Garnishing is completely optional. You can serve the Shrikhand without garnishing too.
Enjoy!!
Recipe Card
Cherry Shrikhand
Delicious and mouth watering, easy to make dessert with cherries and hung yogurt. The taste was incredibly flavorful and scrumptious. And instead of sugar powder I have added stevia. It’s a completely healthy, guilt free and a diet-friendly treat!!
Serves- 2
INGREDIENTS:
Yogurt/ Curd- 2 cups
(or Greek Yogurt- 500 grams)
Sugar Powder- 1/4th cup
OR
Stevia- 5-6 sachets
Cherries- 12-13
For Garnishing-
Chopped cherries 4-5
Pista slivers- 1 teaspoon
Chopped cashews- 1 teaspoon
DIRECTIONS:
Hung the curd in a muslin or cheese cloth for 4-5 hours or preferably overnight.
For this take a deep bowl and a strainer, the arrangement should be so as that the strainer should not be touching the base of the bowl.
You will see that the whey will start collecting in the bowl. Now keep this whole thing into the refrigerator for at least 4-5 hours. You can keep it overnight too.
After 5 hours, all the liquid/whey has been drained out. You will left with very thick yogurt or Chakka.
Pit the cherries (cut them in half and take out the seed) and Purée them to chunky consistency.
You can Purée them to smooth consistency too. I like it bit chunky so kept it to that consistency.
After that take that hung curd.
Add in the the cherries purée and stevia/ sugar powder.
With the help of blender blend to a smooth consistency.
Pour shrikhand in individual serving bowls.
Keep in the refrigerator for another hour or so to chill it.
Serve the chilled Cherry Shrikhand garnished with some chopped cherries, pista slivers and chopped cashews. Garnishing is completely optional. You can serve the Shrikhand without garnishing too.
Enjoy!!