Pistachio Kesar Kulfi Popsicles

Dessert again. Kulfi is a popular, frozen, dairy dessert from India, very similar to ice cream. I have a weak spot for good ice cream. I'm sure there are many like me. I like the "real thing" which is made of REAL DAIRY cream as opposed to the non dairy cream which does not render that genuine creaminess . Very many ice creams found in the market, especially in India, contain non dairy cream, artificial flavors and artificial colors.
Two brands that I know off which use top quality and natural ingredients are Haagen Daz and Ben and Jerry's. Thank God for globalization, these are available here today.
I've used all natural ingredients in my kulfi. Most Kulfi recipes call for corn starch to thicken the mixture. I've replaced corn starch with arrowroot powder. Flavor comes from using saffron, cardamom and pistachios. Creaminess from rich milk and whipping cream. These ingredients are a bit on the expensive side, but, I feel it is money well spent.
Another advantage is that it is a no bake dessert. Easy to make. You could avoid cardamom and add any fruit pulp to make fruit kulfis. My suggestion would be Mango and Chiku, as these fruits have a very Indian flavor which will go well with this Indian dessert.

Ingredients:

• Milk - 2 cups
• Sugar- 1/2 cup
• Arrowroot powder - 2 tspns
• Cardamom powder - 1/2 tspn
• Pistachios - 1/4 cup (chopped)
• Saffron - 4-5 strands
• Whipping cream-1/2 cup

Directions:

• Dissolve arrowroot in 1/4 cup of cold milk.
• Whip up the whipping cream to peaks and set aside in the refrigerator
• Take 1/4 cup of hot milk and to this add saffron strands and set aside.
• Heat the remaining milk with sugar and let dissolve. Once the milk begins to boil, reduce heat and add the arrowroot dissolved milk. Stir well
• Next add the saffron milk and stir.
• Stir for about 2-3 mins till the arrowroot slightly thinkens the mixture and it comes to a custard consistency.
• Turn off heat and add pistachios and cardamom powder.
• Let cool. Once cooled, add whipped cream and fold gently till it's incorporated well.
• Pour mixture into popsicle molds or any mold of your choice.
• Freeze for 4-6 hours or overnight.
• To unmold the popsicles, dip the mold in warm water for 10 secs. The popsicles will slide out easily.
• Enjoy.

Luv 'n' luc'
Smitha