Ingredients:
1 liter full-fat milk |
200 grams jaggery (or brown sugar) |
2 tablespoons plain yogurt (as a starter culture) |
1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder (optional) |
Sliced almonds or pistachios for garnish (optional) |
Method:
- Boil the Milk:
- In a Vardaan Cookware’s Stainless Steel saucepan, bring the full-fat milk to a boil over medium heat.
- Reduce the heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the milk reduces to about half its original volume. This should take around 30-40 minutes.
- Prepare the Jaggery Syrup:
- While the milk is simmering, grate or chop the jaggery into small pieces.
- In a separate Vardaan Cookware’s Stainless Steel saucepan, add the jaggery and a few tablespoons of water. Heat on low until the jaggery melts completely, forming a syrup. Be careful not to overheat to prevent caramelization. Once melted, set aside to cool slightly.
- Combine Milk and Jaggery:
- Once the milk has reduced, allow it to cool until it is warm (not hot). This is important to prevent curdling when adding the yogurt.
- Gradually add the jaggery syrup to the reduced milk, stirring continuously to mix well. If using cardamom powder, add it now for extra flavor.
- Add Yogurt Starter:
- Once the milk and jaggery mixture is lukewarm, add the plain yogurt and mix thoroughly to ensure it is evenly distributed.
- Ferment the Mixture:
- Pour the mixture into a Vardaan Cookware’s casserole or individual Vardaan Cookware’s Stainless Steel storage containers.
- Cover and let it sit in a warm place for 6-8 hours, or overnight, until it sets into a thick, creamy yogurt. The fermentation process will vary depending on the room temperature.
- Chill and Serve:
- Once set, refrigerate the Mishti Doi for a few hours before serving.
- Garnish with sliced almonds or pistachios if desired.
Storage:
- Store the Mishti Doi in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
This traditional Bengali dessert, Mishti Doi, is a sweet and creamy yoghurt treat perfect for any occasion. Enjoy the rich flavor of jaggery combined with the smoothness of homemade yoghurt!