Sweetened Yogurt with Fresh Mangoes

This deliciously chilled yogurt dessert originated in Gujurat. You can add

any fresh fruit of your choice to this delicacy.

SERVES 4

3 cups plain yogurt

2 cups sugar

12 pistachio nuts

1 teaspoon saffron threads

2 tablespoons warm milk

1 cup finely chopped fresh mangoes

2 teaspoons cardamom powder

Tie the yogurt in a muslin cloth and hang it overnight, about 8 hours, to drain out the whey. It should preferably be hung in the refrigerator. Transfer the hung yogurt into a bowl.

Add sugar and mix very well until all the sugar dissolves and the mixture becomes creamy. Soak the pistachio nuts in 1 cup hot water for ten minutes. Drain, peel, and slice them.

Dissolve the saffron in the warm milk to release its color and flavor. Add the pistachios, saffron, and mangoes to the yogurt. Mix well.

Serve it chilled, sprinkled with cardamom powder.