Fruit & Nuts Custard {Eggless}

Fruit & Nuts Custard {Eggless}

Are you still struggling for that last minute dessert to serve your guests at Holi? I know it is today in India, that is 13th of March 2017, but hey we still have a whole night to plan for that dessert in USA. If you still have any doubt, here make this delicious and colorful, drenched in the sweetness and glory of freshness – “THE” Fruit & Nuts Custard {Eggless}.

No, it is not your typical traditional Holi Dessert that has been prepared for ages at home and a recipe that has been passed over generations. It just does not fit that criteria at all. But, one thing that it fits perfectly, is that big chunk of happy from my childhood memories.

I am 40 years young and as far as my memory dates from my parents’ home, I have always witnessed a huge table set out in the verandah, along with other yummies, just staged for sakore after sakore of this delicious custard.

Ahem….sakore (plural of sakora) for you is small earthern bowls. Sakore and Pattal (plates made with tree leaves) used to create a traditional sight over festivals and marriages in early days. There you hear the footsteps of Holi, and here you would find the markets getting dolled up with Tesu ke Phool, Abeer and Gulal, ghade (earthern pots) after ghade of kanji and thandai, gujiya and laddoo, and not to forget all the chaat.

How I miss those days, not only for food but for the simplicity of times. Spring used to be more gorgeous, sun used to be much more bright and happy, air had more crisp and oomph, those innocent smiles on our faces, pichkari of tesu ka pani , rang bhare gubbare and not to miss hated the final exams if they ever dared to fall around holi.

The hustle bustle of holi included our little hearts fluttering with joy and schemeing. Ma, chachi and dadi making gujiyas and other Chivda namkeen , Mathri, Kanji together. Ma would make extra Chawal ki Kheer and custard to entertain the never ending line of friends and family who would show up and wouldn’t leave till they had stomach full of fun and food.

{Can’t make it now? PIN it for LATER!}

Coming back to the custard, what was I saying earlier? Haan…the custard is not Indian dessert at all, rather I would categorize it under more continental or colonial that got introduced to India with colonizers and Travelers.

I have no history or reason to why mum made a huge batch of custard for every Holi for the guests, but that used to be the highlight for all our guests, especially 35-40 years ago. As I write this, I am gushing at my age. The good news is that I do not feel 40 years old but that young ;). The Custard became a kind of tradition in my mom and dad’d home for Holi. I guess the reason could be that it is was the new modern that time and people already had enough of traditional desserts at their’s and others’ homes. They might not touch anything, but not even one bowl of custard would go waste.

This year, I did not make anything for Holi for some unavoidable reasons. I was pretty upset about the fact. For that matter, the blog is very sluggish too. On that note, if you haven’t forgotten me yet, a heartfelt thanks to you. I love you guys too. The life is at a curve right now and I am taking it very slow.

Anyways, back to custard, I made this gorgeous and heart melting custard today for the family and the girls loved it. Amit couldn’t try it since he had to catch a flight but I have saved some for him.

Making custard is the fastest, easiest and yummiest way to get to any dessert. Only 3 main ingredients and it is done in a jiffy. You definitely need a custard powder of a good brand. I have used Brown and Nelson that is the most tested and trusted brand for custard. If you can not find custard powder, use vanilla pudding mix and cook as per the instructions at the back.

Making Fruit & Nuts Custard {Eggless} is the easiest way to include milk, fruits and nuts , the vital food groups in one go. I am not saying that it is the healthiest way to go but hey it is definitely a way to visit once in a while. It is perfect for fussy kids, any get togethers since it is so gorgeous to present, a hostess gift and sometimes for no particular reason.

Here are some more puddings from the blog, similar to custard – Mango Custard Caramel Pudding , Mocha Express Pudding , Chocolate and Vanilla Pudding and many more.

Here is how you make it.

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5 from 1 vote

Fruit & Nuts Custard {Eggless}

An easy and quick dessert, made with only 3 main ingredients. A delicious harmony of flavors and textures when enriched with fruits and nuts.

Course Dessert

Cuisine Indian Continental

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 20 minutes minutes

Servings 10

Author Sonal Gupta @ simplyvegetarian777

Ingredients

• Milk - 1 litre or 4 cups. I used 2% milk.
• Sugar - 7 tbsp
• Custard Powder - 5 tbsp . I used Vanilla flavored Brown & Polson Brand Custard powder. You may use whichever is available.
• Cardamom powder - 1 tsp
• Brown sugar - 1 tsp

Fruits & Nuts Garnish

• Mango - 1/2 cup small pieces
• Pomegrenate pearls - 1/4 cup
• Pistachio - 1 tbsp finely crushed
• Almond - 2 tbsp finely chopped or flakes
• Dry Blueberries - 2 tbsp
• Dry Cranberries - 2 tbsp

NOTE - You may use any fruits that are available like banana, apple, grapes, strawberries, kiwi etc. Also, you may use any dry nuts that are available like cashews, pecans, pinenuts etc.

Instructions

• Take a bowl. Add 5 tbsp of custard powder to that. Add 1 cup or 250 ml of milk to the bowl slowly and mix well with a stirrer or fork to make a smooth paste. Set aside.
• Take the rest of the 750 ml or 3 cups of milk in a heavy bottom pan and add sugar to it. Dissolve well with a stirrer and bring it to a boil, while stirring occasionally.
• When it comes to a boil, remove the pan from the heat.
• Add the custard powder paste slowly to the hot milk and stir fast to dissolve it.
• Put the pan back on the gas stove and heat it ( do not boil) for another 4-5 minutes till it becomes slightly thick. While heating it, stir continously to avoid burning at the bottom.
• Switch off the heat.
• Pour the custard in a serving bowl and bring it to the room temperature.
• Cover with lid or foil or cling wrap and refrigerate for 2-3 hrs.
• Before serving, add the finely chopped fruits and nuts on top. Sprinkle some cardamom powder and brown sugar.
• serve it chilled.

NOTES

• You may make the custard ahead of time and serve the next day. It stays good in the refrigerator for about 3-4 days.
• You may set the custard in individual dessert bowls.
• You may use any seasonal fruits to it.

In my kitchen, EAT HAPPY & CELEBRATE HAPPY!

Happy Holi!

Sonal