Chia Seed Phirni Parfait
This Chia Seed Phirni Parfait is a creamy and satisfying dessert. It layers a rich, subtly spiced phirni-inspired base with wholesome chia pudding and fresh fruit, making it a lovely sweet treat.
Ingredients
- 0.5 cup basmati rice
- 4 cups whole milk
- 0.25 teaspoon saffron threads
- 4 green cardamom pods
- 4 tablespoons sugar
- 0.75 cup chia seeds
- 2 cups unsweetened almond milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups mixed berries
- 4 tablespoons chopped pistachios
Instructions
- Wash 0.5 cup basmati rice thoroughly and soak it in 1 cup of water for at least 30 minutes. After soaking, drain the water completely.
- In a small bowl, warm 2 tablespoons of whole milk and steep 0.25 teaspoon saffron threads in it for 10 minutes. This helps the saffron release its color and flavor.
- Transfer the soaked and drained basmati rice to a small blender or food processor. Add 0.25 cup of whole milk and blend until the rice is coarsely ground, like a fine semolina. Do not make it a smooth paste.
- In a heavy-bottomed pot, combine the remaining 3.75 cups of whole milk and 4 green cardamom pods. Bring the milk to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching.
- Once the milk boils, reduce the heat to low. Slowly add the coarsely ground rice paste to the boiling milk, stirring continuously to prevent lumps. Cook for 20-25 minutes, stirring frequently, until the rice is cooked and the phirni thickens to a creamy consistency.
- Remove the cardamom pods from the phirni. Stir in the saffron-infused milk and 4 tablespoons sugar. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, allowing the sugar to dissolve completely. Let the phirni cool completely, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours to chill and thicken further.
- While the phirni is chilling, prepare the chia pudding. In a large bowl, whisk together 0.75 cup chia seeds, 2 cups unsweetened almond milk, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Let it sit for 5 minutes, then whisk again to break up any clumps. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or until the mixture has thickened into a pudding-like consistency.
- Once both the phirni and chia pudding are thoroughly chilled, it's time to assemble the parfaits. Get four serving glasses.
- In each glass, layer approximately 0.25 cup of the chilled phirni at the bottom. Gently spoon about 0.25 cup of chia pudding over the phirni layer. Top with a layer of mixed berries, using about 0.25 cup per glass.
- Repeat the layers once more: phirni, chia pudding, and then a final generous topping of mixed berries. Finish each parfait with a sprinkle of 1 tablespoon chopped pistachios.