Shahi Tukda Recipe: A Regal Indian Dessert to Delight Your Taste Buds

                                                                                                                                        

                                                       Photo by Jack Baghel: Pexels                                                              

Introduction

Shahi Tukda, which literally means "royal piece," is a rich Mughlai dessert that was born in India during the Mughal period. Fried bread, creamy rabri, and aromatic spices come together to make this dish perfect for special occasions or when you want to treat yourself to something truly royal.

Ingredients
(Serves 4)

For the Bread:

• 4 slices of white bread (trim crusts)
• 3-4 tbsp ghee (clarified butter) for frying
  
  

For the Sugar Syrup:

• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 2-3 crushed cardamom pods
• Few strands of saffron (optional)
• 1 tsp of rose water (optional)
  
  

Rabri (Sweetened Thickened Milk):

• 1 liter of full-fat milk
• 1/4 cup of sugar, to taste
• 1/4 tsp of cardamom powder
• Few strands of saffron
• 1 tbsp chopped pistachios and almonds
  
  

For Decoration:

• Silver leaf (optional)
• Dry rose petals
• Chopped nuts - pistachios, almonds, cashews.

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Rabri

1. Bring the milk to a boil in a heavy-bottomed pan.
2. Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally to avoid burning.
3. Scrape the cream from the sides of the pan and mix it back into the milk. Repeat until the milk reduces to half its original quantity.
4. Add sugar, cardamom powder, saffron, and chopped nuts. Stir well and cook for another 5-7 minutes.
5. Let the rabri cool. It will thicken further as it cools.

Step 2: Prepare the Sugar Syrup

1. Take sugar and water in a saucepan and heat until the sugar melts.
2. Add the crushed cardamom pods, saffron, and rose water, for a fragrant syrup. Boil for 2-3 minutes. Let the heat off, keep it aside

Step 3: Fry the Bread

1. Cut the bread slices into triangles or squares.
2. Heat ghee in a pan and fry the bread pieces until golden brown on both sides. Remove and drain on a paper towel.

Step 4: Assemble the Shahi Tukda

1. Dip the fried bread pieces into the warm sugar syrup for a few seconds, ensuring they absorb the syrup but don't become soggy.
2. Arrange the bread pieces on a serving plate.
3. Pour the cooled rabri generously over the bread.

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

1. Garnish with silver leaf, chopped nuts, and dried rose petals.
2. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Pro Tip
To take it to the next level, use ghee-fried bread and make sure the rabri is thick and creamy. You can also add a splash of kewra or rose water to the rabri for an aromatic twist.

Concluding Remark

Shahi Tukda is something more than just a sweet, a royal part of India's history of sumptuous flavors from simple ingredients, whether a lavish dinner on festival days or you just indulge and treat your own self with a little heaven right in your mouth, filled with a mixture of delicate texture and flavor that would surprise even the gods themselves.

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