Phirni is a traditional Indian dessert which is mildly sweet and has a granular texture. Due to it’s texture, I always thought it was made from semolina. When I wanted to make it at home and was referring a few recipes, I realised it was made from rice. In fact, I remember that when I saw rice as the main ingredient in one or two recipes, I in fact searched more to see if it was actually rice that was used or the initial recipes I saw was a variation of the traditional recipe. I never realised how easy it was to make. I have tried making phirni from ready made rice powder as well as soaking and powdering rice at home and then using that. Must say, the latter gave the right phirni texture. Though the phirni made using ready made rice powder tasted the same, but it didn’t really feel like phirni. So I would strongly advice taking some time to powder the rice at home to get the right texture for your phirni.
I love fruit flavoured desserts. Since strawberries are in season and I wanted to share the recipe of phirni with all of you, thought of making a strawberry phirni. And have to say – everyone who tasted absolutely loved it! It got over in no time. So if you can, do give this easy dessert a try and let me know your feedback.
Strawberry Phirni
Course: DessertDifficulty: Easy4
servings20
minutes10
minutes30
minutesA traditional Indian dessert made in strawberry flavour.
Ingredients
Basmati Rice – 1/4 cup (or rice flour – 1/4 cup + 1 tbsp)
Milk – 1 cup
Sugar – 1/4 cup (adjust as per sweetness needed)
Strawberry – 200 gms
Salt – a pinch
Sliced strawberries and pistachios for garnish
Directions
- Wash and soak the rice in water for 10 min. In case you don’t have basmati rice, you can also use any other white rice you use for your regular cooking at home.
- Drain the water and let the rice dry out. You can put it between a kitchen towel to absorb the extra water quickly and dry it faster.
- Powder it coarsely to the texture of semolina. If using rice flour, try to use coarse rice flour.
- Puree the strawberries and keep it aside.
- Mix the rice flour with a little milk in a sauce pan first and then add the remaining milk to avoid lumps.
- Add the sugar also to this and then bring mixture to a boil.
- Stir continuously till it thickens. Once thickened, turn off the heat.
- Add the strawberry puree and salt to this and mix well.
- Add more sugar, if needed.
- Garnish with sliced strawberry pieces and chopped pistachios and serve.
Recipe Video
Notes
- Rice: Basmati rice gives the best flavour for the phirni. However, you don’t have basmati rice, you can also use any other white rice you use for regular cooking. In case you are using ready made rice flour, the texture of phirni will be different. Try to get a coarsely powdered rice flour for better phirni texture.
- Sweetness: The sugar used in the recipe is as per the strawberries I got. You can start with little sugar and then add more, as per taste, once you add the strawberry puree.
