5.0 from 9 votes
Firni
How to make firni, an Indian creamy smooth pudding made with rice flour and slow cooked milk flavoured with saffron and cardamom, garnished with crushed nuts.
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Additional Time
30 mins
Total Time
1 hr
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 245 kcal
Course:
Dessert
Cuisine:
Indian
Ingredients
- 20 medium to large saffron strands
- 2 tablespoons water cool
- 75 g rice flour 6 tablespoons
- 1200 mls whole milk 5 cups
- 2 whole cardamoms
- 100 g sugar 7 tablespoons, granulated or caster
Garnish
- 10 pistachios shelled, or almonds
Instructions
Bloom the saffron
- In a small bowl crush 20 medium to large saffron strands with your fingers, add 2 tablespoons water and set aside for 20 minutes.
Cup of Yum
Firni
- Meanwhile, pour 1200 mls whole milk into a medium saucepan add 2 whole cardamoms and bring to a boil, then reduce heat to minimum and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes.
- Remove the cardamom pods and whisk in 75 g rice flour and 100 g sugar till there are no lumps of rice flour left (use a stick/immersion blender or spoon to crush any large lumps). Stir in the saffron strands and their water. Then stir occasionally using a wooden spoon till the mixture has thickened.
- Remove from the heat and pour into a serving dish or individual bowls. Leave to cool on the counter then cover with plastic wrap and chill in the fridge. Before serving roughly crush 10 pistachios with a pestle and mortar or use a plastic bag and a rolling pin and sprinkle over the firni.
Notes
- Make ahead - firni can be made ahead and kept covered in the fridge till ready to serve.
- It is important to bloom the saffron before using to extract the flavour.
- If you don't have rice flour you can make your own - use a spice or coffee grinder to grind raw rice into a fine powder.
- Whole milk gives best results because of its high fat content.
- To prevent milk sticking to the bottom of the pan - bring to a boil on medium heat, then reduce to low and simmer stirring frequently using a wooden spoon.
- You can use any type of crushed nuts to garnish the firni.
- Storing leftovers - cover and keep in the fridge for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to a month. Thaw in the fridge before serving.
Nutrition Information
Calories
245kcal
(12%)
Carbohydrates
37g
(12%)
Protein
8g
(16%)
Fat
8g
(12%)
Saturated Fat
4g
(20%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1g
Monounsaturated Fat
2g
Cholesterol
25mg
(8%)
Sodium
79mg
(3%)
Potassium
343mg
(10%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
27g
(54%)
Vitamin A
342IU
(7%)
Vitamin C
0.3mg
(0%)
Calcium
258mg
(26%)
Iron
0.2mg
(1%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 245
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 245kcal | 12% |
| Carbohydrates | 37g | 12% |
| Protein | 8g | 16% |
| Fat | 8g | 12% |
| Saturated Fat | 4g | 20% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Cholesterol | 25mg | 8% |
| Sodium | 79mg | 3% |
| Potassium | 343mg | 7% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 27g | 54% |
| Vitamin A | 342IU | 7% |
| Vitamin C | 0.3mg | 0% |
| Calcium | 258mg | 26% |
| Iron | 0.2mg | 1% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.