Delicious Marathi twist to serving drinks. Make Piyush with Home Chef Sonal S. Jambekar

I couldn’t stop drooling when I saw SONAL JAMBEKAR’s Facebook Page: The Annapurna in You . She specialises in simplifying most complicated Indian recipes so that anyone can cook. Her page is a must-visit for anyone who wishes to try their hand at traditional Indian Cooking. What’s more, she has several home remedies featured there as well.
I am so happy to present this post to you. Sonal has shared her favourite recipe and I must tell you…it is my favourite too!!  iRecommend

Over to Sonal…

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Piyush – The Maharashtrian Nectar… served for you this Christmas!

It’s that time of the year again.
I love Christmas; the music, the food, the bling and…… did I mention the food? 🙂

Many many moons ago when I was a child :-), we used to live at Grant Road. There was a Christian neighbourhood right behind our building. Their houses looked so amazing during this season. Almost a fortnight before Christmas, the residents there used to be busy washing and painting their places. The houses used to be decorated with Christmas lights, golden stars and small cribs (mangers) that represent the stable where Jesus Christ was born. They even held special competitions for the best crib decorations.

People used to vote for the most beautifully and creatively decorated ones and award them prizes on Christmas day. The beautifully decorated Christmas trees, the pompous midnight Christmas mass, the star-shaped lanterns, the aroma of freshly baked cakes emanating from all over the place… I used to love it all. After the Christmas Mass, families gathered at their homes to enjoy the traditional plum cake with raisins and almonds and a glass of wine.

I had a friend called Sylvia living there and it was through her that I could actually be a part of all the festivities associated with Christmas. I loved the Nankhaties, Date Rolls and different varieties of Fudge Sylvia’s mom, Gloria aunty made. Sylvia was a great fan of the traditional Maharashtrian delicacies my Aai made including Shankarpale, Karanjis and Anarse… but her favourite of all was Piyush which is a popular Maharashtrian cooler. In fact, Sylvia loved it so much that after a hearty Christmas feast of meat and fried fish she would come to my place for a glass of chilled Piyush to wash it down 🙂

So now that Christmas is just around the corner, I am sharing the recipe for Piyush. But, before that, a little about Piyush.

It is a popular Maharashtrian cooler. ‘Piyush’ literally means Amrit or Nectar or the drink of the Gods. And when you drink it, you actually feel like you are in heaven!  🙂
It is very easy and quick to make too.
So, this Christmas, why not serve Piyush to your guests instead of the usual mocktails and juices?
Here is the recipe…

Ingredients (serves 4)

250 gms Shrikhand (preferably Kesar Elaichi flavour)
250 gms Curd (I used the readymade Curd. You can use thick home-made Curd also)
1.5 cups Milk
2 tbsp sugar
Cardamom (Elaichi) powder – 1/2 teaspoon
Nutmeg (Jaiphal) powder 1/2 teaspoon
¼ tsp Milk Masala – any brand

A few strands of Saffron (Kesar)

Method:
Combine all the ingredients in a mixing bowl and run a hand blender for a minute or two. Alternatively, you can use the blender jar of your mixer grinder to blend it.

Pour the frothy blend into a tall glass, garnish with saffron strands and some milk masala and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before you enjoy it.

Notes:
The consistency of Piyush is generally thick. But, if you like you can adjust the thickness by adding a little more milk.
Since Shrikhand already has a lot of sugar added to it, I have added only 2 tbsp of extra sugar. You can adjust the sweetness as per your taste by reducing or increasing the quantity of sugar. However, make sure to taste the Piyush first before you decide to add more or reduce the extra sugar.

You can also garnish the Piyush with slivered pistachios.

I am sure this recipe will make you and your guests go gaga and add to your festive mood this Christmas ! Here’s wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year in advance !!!

– As told to Mayura Amarkant

Do let me know whether you liked the recipe. Add a comment, like and share the post – show some love! Looking forward to your reactions!

Here are some more posts you can check out under the iReccomend Series:

1. Yummiest Gifting Option!

2. This Christmas, Homebaker Pooja Jain shares her favourite recipe & journey.

3. ‘Spiritual Detox’ before New Year with Chakra Healer – Kareena Punjabi

4. Self-confessed foodie, Niti Madan shares her favourite Christmas recipe

5. Make Christmas Goodies with your child says TANVI SRIVASTAVA SETHI

6. Easy Tutty-Fruity cake for Christmas by BAKE BY MOMZ’s Sarika Shahu

7. Delicious Marathi twist to Christmas with Home Chef Sonal S. Jambekar