Mixed Fruit Custard always brings back wonderful childhood memories for me. I remember eating this popular Indian dessert after meals, every summer we visited India. It’s a delicious combination of creamy custard, lovely aromatic spices & seasonal fresh fruit – all mixed together & chilled to sweet perfection. It was indeed heavenly!

Traditionally, custards are made using milk (or cream) & egg yolks. Custard based desserts were most likely introduced into India by the British during the colonial era. But since many Indians are pure vegetarians, eggless custard powders were favored instead. Eggless custard powders are easily available in an Indian grocery store & do come in a variety of flavors in as well – such as vanilla, chocolate, mango, pineapple, strawberry & banana. They are also a huge shortcut & wonderful time saver!

So whenever I find myself craving this yummy childhood treat, it’s simple enough to make & even better to eat ☺.


MIXED FRUIT CUSTARD

Ingredients:

2½ cups whole milk
½ cup cream
2 heaping tbsp custard powder (I used vanilla)
2-3 tbsp sugar, to taste (depending upon the sweetness of the fruits)
2 to 2½ cups of your favorite seasonal fruits, cut into bite size pieces
pinch of saffron (optional)
¼ tsp ground cardamom powder
freshly grated nutmeg, to taste
½ tbsp rosewater (or orange blossom water)
2 tbsp toasted pistachio pieces for garnish

METHOD:

In a medium size saucepan on medium heat, gently combine the milk & cream together. Allow the mixture to come to a gentle simmer & whisk in the custard powder along with the sugar. Whisk until the mixture has slightly thickened & that it is completely smooth – making sure that you have no lumps. Remove the saucepan from the heat & add in the spices (saffron, ground cardamom powder & freshly grated nutmeg). Mix well & set aside to cool.

When the custard mixture has completely cooled, add in the rosewater along with the fruit & stir gently to combine. Garnish with the pistachio pieces, serve chilled & enjoy after any delicious Indian meal ☺.


VARIATIONS:

Any fresh fruit will work in this dessert, you can add your favorite berries or pieces of banana, apple, oranges, pineapple, mango, grapes, honeydew, cantaloupe, papaya, kiwi, pitted cherries, pomegranate seeds…



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