taking a break…..

what could be more exciting for a girl……..

• much coveted weight loss
• meeting a dear friend
• meeting with a fellow food blogger for the first time
• surprise vacation to an exotic tropical land with the love of her life??
• all of the above??

yes people….am so giddy headed that i just hope to be able to finish my packing and get to the airport in one piece!! i’m off today and will be back on the 8th…..so for then i will be away from what gives me my daily dose of kicks…. the blogging world….i dont post that often, but am always catching up with all of you on a daily basis…..for once, my highs will have to come from somewhere else!! when i am back, i hope you will bear with the aftermath of the excitement!! in the meanwhile i leave you with the recipe of a simple yet completely fulfilling indian dessert…the ubiquitous Firni……

firni (serves 4)

1/2 litre milk (i used low fat)

1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk

2 T basmati rice (soaked in water for 1 hour, drained and ground to a coarse paste, add 2 tablespoons of cold milk and make into a thick paste)

few strands of saffron

8-10 unsalted pistachios finely shopped or sliced

in a heavy bottomed pan, bring the milk to a boil and simmer for 5 minutes. add the condensed milk and mix well till well incorporated…. add the coarsely ground rice paste and simmer for 10-12 mins on a slow flame, stirring continuously so that no lumps are formed. cool, serve in individual bowls or earthenware matkas. garnish with a couple of strands of saffron and pistachios in each bowl. chill for atleast 2-3 hours before serving.

for a richer texture, use full cream milk and add 3 T of fresh cream while simmering