Afghan Firnee with Cardamom and Pistachios

Ingredients

• 4 cups (946ml) whole milk 4 cups (946ml) whole milk
• 1/4 cup (50g) rice flour 1/4 cup (50g) rice flour
• 1/2 cup (100g) sugar 1/2 cup (100g) sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cardamom 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1/4 cup (30g) crushed pistachios, for garnish 1/4 cup (30g) crushed pistachios, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 250 kcal / 1046 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 8g, 4g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 38g, 28g
• Protein: 8g
• Fiber: 0g
• Salt: 0.1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a saucepan, heat the milk over medium heat until it comes to a gentle simmer.
2. 2.
   In a small bowl, whisk together the rice flour and a little bit of milk to form a smooth paste.
3. 3.
   Slowly pour the rice flour mixture into the simmering milk, stirring continuously to avoid any lumps.
4. 4.
   Add the sugar and ground cardamom to the saucepan and continue to cook, stirring frequently, until the mixture thickens to a custard-like consistency.
5. 5.
   Remove the saucepan from heat and let the Firnee cool to room temperature.
6. 6.
   Once cooled, transfer the Firnee to individual serving bowls or a large serving dish.
7. 7.
   Sprinkle the crushed pistachios over the top as a garnish.
8. 8.
   Refrigerate the Firnee for at least 2 hours to allow it to set.
9. 9.
   Serve chilled and enjoy!

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Rice flour — Make sure to whisk the rice flour with a little bit of milk to create a smooth paste before adding it to the simmering milk. This will help prevent any lumps from forming.

Tips & Tricks

• For a creamier texture, you can substitute some of the milk with heavy cream.
• If you prefer a stronger cardamom flavor, you can increase the amount of ground cardamom to your liking.
• To enhance the aroma of the dish, you can lightly toast the crushed pistachios before garnishing the Firnee.

Serving advice

Serve the Firnee chilled in individual bowls or a large serving dish. It can be enjoyed as a standalone dessert or paired with traditional Afghan sweets like Sheer Khurma or Baklava.

Presentation advice

To make the presentation more appealing, sprinkle a pinch of ground cardamom over the top of the Firnee along with the crushed pistachios. This will add a touch of elegance and enhance the aroma.