Banana Curds/ Dahi.

"Banana Curds/ Dahi" … A simple, Nutritious and Delicious Curds close to lassi, a sweet based curd drink, but slightly thicker in consistency ... best for those reluctant children who detest eating bananas or having curds … well actually all can enjoy this curd for those in between hunger … they do fill the tummy and keep you going for a long time … Yummilicious ....

** Curds are relished throughout the world as they are very healthy and good for stomach and gut issues. Banana is a edible fruit widely grown all round the world and are known for promoting a healthy heart, maintaining blood pressure, reducing fatigue and constipation, heartburn and is also said to stimulate production of hemoglobin. They are an excellent source of potassium, fiber, and magnesium and are very filling on tummy. I am sure all of you know the benefits of bananas. 

** These are so versatile that not only desserts but can be prepared into making several other dishes too. Cakes, Ice Creams, Curds, Lassi, Halwa, Curries the list is endless. Today I am posting a simple curd prepared using bananas. Flavored curds are the in thing now and children simply love them. So do old people, as it is easier for consumption. This one is very easy to prepare, all you need is thick curds, bananas and some milk powder. Do try this out and do let me know about the same.

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** Here is my simple method of preparing "Banana Curds/ Dahi" ... my style ...

** Ingredients :

Ripe Bananas/ Pickile Kele : 4-5 small sized

Curds/ Dahi/ Yogurt : 2 cups (thick one’s)

Milk Powder/ Doodha pitti : ½ cup

Sugar/ Shakkar/ Sakkara : ½ cup or as per taste.

Cardamom/ Ellaichi/ Yella Powder : ½ tsp.

** Add the curds in a fine sieve and let drain the excess water for 10 mins. Keep this both drained water and curds aside ready. 

** Note: Straining of curds is a necessary step as when sugar is added the curds turn out thinner. If not done so, the dessert will not turn thick like well set curds and will turn out like lassi the famous coolant. So do not leave out this step. There is no need to completely remove the excess water, just 10-15 mins will do. 

** Add in the sieved curds, sugar, milk powder into a mixer and blend all together until you get a smooth textured paste. The sugar should have mixed in well, however, do not run the mixer for too long lest the mixture will turn thinner. You can stop in between so that there is no heat induced while preparing the same. 

** Note : You can use either skimmed milk or full fat milk for this recipe while the skimmed milk is less fattening it turns slightly thinner in texture unlike full fat milk, the very reason why I add on milk powder. You can simmer full fat milk for 10 minutes to thicken it and then set the curds too which will give you thick creamy curds which can be used without straining, its individual choice, I have used skimmed milk. 

** Now, cut the bananas into small pieces, add it immediately into the mixer and pulse for a few seconds twice or thrice. Do not make it into smooth paste. By using pulse method, major part of bananas will get mixed while some pieces will remain.

** Note : You may beat the bananas well into a smooth paste too if that is the way you prefer. I like some small pieces of the fruit to remain, so I prefer the pulse method. Also, remember to peel the banana and immediately add to the other contents in mixer and blend fast to avoid it being discolored, which is distasteful. 

** Remove the banana curd mixture into a bowl and add in the cardamom powder and mix well. Pour it in an airtight container normally used for ice creams and put it into the freezer to chill for 30-40 minutes. Remove and mix the banana curd well breaking crystals if any and once again put it freezer for 20 minutes. 

** "Banana Curds/ Dahi" is all set and ready to be served. Remove and serve in individual bowls or small glasses topped with crushed cardamom powder and a few fresh banana slices if preferred. This is my short cut method of setting fruit curds which I use for fruits that are to be consumed immediately and cannot be left for hours to set at room temperature. Tastes awesome served as a dessert too. 

** If desired you can serve this accompanied with poori and potato bhaji too excellent combination to be relished a few poori dunked in the curds while the others are relished with bhaji. Children are sure to love them so be prepared for frequent requests/ farmaish of the same, off course mothers will be relieved for sure. After all homemade good food is the best gift you can give to growing up of children for good health lifelong.

** Note : The addition of bananas always leads to little bit of discoloration of the curds. Therefore, it is always best to prepare this and use it immediately.