Winter brings with it the perfect excuse to indulge in warm, comforting, and sweet treats. Custard apple, a tropical fruit with creamy pulp and a delightful sweetness, is an excellent ingredient to include in your winter recipes. Its nutritional benefits, including being rich in fibre, vitamin C, and antioxidants, make it a healthy addition to your desserts.
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While custard apple is often enjoyed fresh, its versatility in recipes can surprise you. It can be used to make phirni, kheer, basundi, and even innovative dishes like muffins and ice cream. Each recipe transforms the custard apple's natural sweetness into a unique culinary experience. Whether you are hosting a festive dinner or enjoying a quiet evening, these custard apple recipes will add a flavourful twist to your winter menu.
Custard Apple Phirni
Phirni, a creamy North Indian dessert, becomes even more special when infused with custard apple. To prepare custard apple phirni, soak and grind basmati rice into a fine paste. Boil milk in a pan and add the rice paste, stirring continuously to avoid lumps. Cook until it thickens. Once the mixture cools slightly, mix in the custard apple pulp, sugar, and a pinch of cardamom powder. Serve chilled, garnished with chopped nuts. This dessert is light, flavourful, and perfect for cold winter nights.
Custard Apple Smoothie
For a healthy and refreshing winter drink, try a custard apple smoothie. Blend custard apple pulp with milk, yoghurt, a banana, and a touch of honey for sweetness. Add a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg to enhance the flavour. This smoothie is packed with vitamins and makes an excellent breakfast option or a mid-morning snack. You can also add chia seeds or flaxseeds for an extra boost of nutrition.
Custard Apple Ice Cream
Ice cream may not seem like a winter treat, but custard apple ice cream is an exception. The creamy texture and natural sweetness of custard apple make it ideal for homemade ice cream. Whip cream until soft peaks form, then gently fold in condensed milk and custard apple pulp. Pour the mixture into a container, cover, and freeze until set. This no-churn recipe is easy to prepare and offers a deliciously rich dessert for the season.
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Custard Apple Basundi
Basundi, a thickened and sweetened milk dessert, is a winter favourite with an exotic twist with a custard apple. Boil full-cream milk until it reduces to half its volume, stirring frequently. Add sugar, a pinch of saffron, and cardamom powder, cooking until the sugar dissolves. Allow the mixture to cool before mixing in custard apple pulp to prevent curdling. Serve the basundi chilled, garnished with slivered almonds and pistachios. The result is a dessert that’s creamy, fragrant, and utterly delightful.
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Custard Apple Halwa
Custard apple halwa is a warm, comforting dish that’s perfect for winter evenings. Start by cooking grated khoya (or mawa) in a pan with a little ghee until it turns golden. Add custard apple pulp, sugar, and a pinch of cardamom powder. Cook the mixture until it thickens and leaves the sides of the pan. Garnish with chopped nuts and serve warm. The halwa has a rich, melt-in-the-mouth texture and an irresistible subtle sweetness.
Custard Apple Muffins
Custard apple muffins are a creative way to incorporate the fruit into baked goods. Prepare a batter by combining flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt in one bowl and whisking together eggs, custard apple pulp, sugar, and melted butter in another. Gently mix the wet ingredients with the dry ingredients until they are combined. Pour the batter into muffin tins and bake at 180°C for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. These muffins are soft, moist, and perfect for tea-time snacks or desserts.
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Custard Apple Kheer
Kheer, a classic Indian dessert, becomes even more luscious with custard apple. To make custard apple kheer, cook soaked rice in milk until tender. Stir in sugar and cook until the mixture thickens. Let the kheer cool before adding custard apple pulp to retain the fruit’s flavour. Garnish with chopped nuts and saffron strands. Serve chilled or at room temperature. The custard apple adds a creamy texture and unique taste, making this kheer a winter delight.