A quintessentially Hyderabadi dessert called Khubani ka Meetha Recipe. The beautiful colour and flavours makes this dessert irresistible. The apt Urdu word is “Shahi”or Royal!
Shahi Shikanji~Indian State Madhya Pradesh
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| Shahi Shikanji~Indian State Madhya Pradesh |
Let me take you down the memory lane with Shahi Shikanji on day 15 we are today at Madhya Pradesh!! Land of Ahilyabai Holkar!!
But let get down to cuisine here for I have been told that is what you are interested in but I could not resist putting the link of Rani Ahilyabai Holkar so do check it out if you are interested! She is an amazing lady!!
The cuisine in Madhya Pradesh varies regionally. Wheat and meat are common in the North and West of the state, while the wetter South and East are dominated by rice and fish. Milk is a common ingredient in Gwalior and Indore. The street food of Indore is renowned, with shops that have been active for generations. Bhopal is known for meat and fish dishes such as rogan josh, korma, keema, biryani, pilaf and kebabs. There is a street named "Chatori Gali" in old Bhopal where one can find traditional Muslim non-veg fare like Paya Soup, Bun Kabab, and Nalli-Nihari as some of the specialities.
Dal bafla is a common meal in the region and can be easily found in Indore and other nearby regions, consisting of a steamed and grilled wheat cake dunked in rich ghee which is eaten with dal and ladoos.
The culinary speciality of the Malwa and especially Indore region of central Madhya Pradesh is poha (flattened rice); usually eaten at breakfast with jalebi. Beverages in the region include lassi, beer, and rum and sugarcane juice. Local liquor is distilled from the flowers of the mahua tree and date palm toddy is also popular. In tribal regions, a popular drink is the sap of the sulfi tree, which may be alcoholic if it has gone through fermentation.
For me but Madhya Pradesh has a totally different experience. This is where in Std. IX my tuition teacher; Jaltare Sir had arranged a school trip to Indore, Ujjain, Mandur etc. I too was on the trip, though I was not a student of the school and wow what a trip it was.
We visited many places but vivid in my mind are Sheesh Mahal and Mandur the Baaz Bahadur and Rani Roopmati romance were in my head all the time. There were some more places, incidents about which I have vivid memories. Like we had on the streets roasted green gram!! On the first day of the trip for breakfast, the adults did not want pohe and Chana gravy. They took just the poha but then since the dish was made keeping the combo in mind the poha was tasteless so they had to take Chana, my friend who was called Nandini aka Nandu dada and I were so tickled about it! Crazy females!
Next Pappa was transferred to Indore, Madhya Pradesh but I was not to join my parents for I was just married then. My brother who was in his IV STD then was so mad at me for not coming home that he warned me” when we leave for Indore tomorrow if you do not come back by 6.30 am we are leaving you behind here in Goa.” LOL!
When I visited Indore I was enthralled by the place I remember the shared autos which I took with Amma to go shopping and “Chappan” yes that was right opposite where we stayed. Only since my sister was not there in Indore and I did enjoy it as much. But the memories are there to stay.
On the first day when I went to the market there were big thick kadhai/wok kept on open flames and there was a man sting and stirring the contents in it. The contents were milk! I thought we get a lot of basundi here… Each one has their own perspective…
But Amma offered me Shahi Shikanji, a delicious thickened milk drink served chilled! I am sure you thought of Shikanji as lemonade or limbu pani but in Malwa heat this is served as Shahi Shrikanji!!
I have googled the net but the only reference I found to the Shahi Shikanji is a NDTV where Rohit Bhal has just described the recipe.
In an effort to create the magic I have tried making Shahi Shikanji in my kitchen. the main ingredients for Shahi Shikanji are milk, sugar and dry fruits.
The measures are approximate so please adjust as per taste. Also this is a drink that does not get done in a hurry the chilling times are 8 hours and 10 hours but mind you it’s worth the wait.
 Shahi Shikanji |
| Shahi Shikanji~Indian State Madhya Pradesh |
Shahi Shikanji
Indian
State: Madhya Pradesh
State: Madhya Pradesh
Ingredients:
- 500 ml Milk
- 2 tblspn Sugar
- A few strands of Kesar/saffron
- A pinch of green elichi/cardamom powder
- ½ tblspn Dry fruits like cashew nuts, raisins, almond flakes (approx)
Method:
- In a thick bottomed broad pan heat the milk till it boils.
- Reduce the flame to sim and cook till the volume is reduced to half, while stirring occasionally.
- Add the sugar and continue cooking till the milk thickens again, stir continuously also scrape the sides of the pan. (Addition of sugar make the milk watery so this is an essential step do not avoid it.)
- Set it down from the flame add the elichi powder, kesar mix well and let it cool completely.
- When cool remove to another container cover and chill it for 8 hours.
- After 8 hours remove from the fridge mix the dry fruits. Set back in the fridge for another 10 hours.
- Serve chilled.
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| Shahi Shikanji~Indian State Madhya Pradesh |
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vaishali sabnani says
The last I visited Indore was a good 24 years back and have faint memories of Chaappan...the shikanjvi is like a royal treat..more like a rich kesar badaam shake.
Priya Suresh says
Shahi Shikanji is asking me to have some glasses rite now, very rich and delicious drink.
Nivedhanams Sowmya says
refreshing!!!
The Pumpkin Farm says
such a lovely post..you were lucky to have travelled so much...i envy you now...your drink also looks perfect for the state..it is rich and creamy refreshing drink
Saraswathi Tharagaram says
Very similar to badam kheer and very easy to prepare..
Varadas Kitchen says
I have heard a lot about this drink. I am sure it is a real treat. What is not to like in thickened milk garnished with all the good stuff?
Gayathri Kumar says
What a rich refreshing drink? Looks fantastic...
Nalini's Kitchen says
Shahi shikanji looks so refreshing and sounds inviting...
Jayanthi Padmanabhan says
such a creamy decadent drink.. lovely
Srivalli says
Archana, so nice to read about your memories..lol..:)..and yes I remember the serving glass..I would say it was worth it..:P..and the drink sounds awesome..
Harini-Jaya R says
Love the creamy look of this ever popular drink!
Chef Mireille says
looks so rich and decadent
Pavani N says
Lovely post Archana and that shahi shikanji sounds so rich and delicious.
Usha says
It was nice reading your memories of this state. Shahi shikanji looks rich and delicious!
Manjula Bharath says
OH my such an delicious and rich shikanji there 🙂 Even i made them but your look very tempting archana 🙂
Jagruti Dhanecha says
Shahi Kanji, I heard the first time. What a rich and delicious looking drink, feel like grabbing that glass from the screen.
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks, Jagruti. I loved it too.
Pavani says
Dessert looks so creamy and tempting.Thanks for sharing the recipe.
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks, Pavani.
Mayuri Patel says
A tempting, cooling and filling Shahi Shikanji. Love how inviting it looks. So reminds me of the Gujarati Doodh Pak but without a bit of the rice in it. Would be ideal to have as a light meal.
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks, Mayuri.