Sikarni (Spiced Sweet Yogurt-Pistachio Dessert)

This is a rich Nepali dessert made from thickened whole-milk yogurt flavoured with nuts and sweet spices.

• Ready In: 1 hr
• Serves: 5

Ingredients

• 6  cups  regular yogurt
• 2  cups sour cream
• 1⁄4 cup  double cream
• 2  cups sugar
• 1⁄2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1⁄2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1  teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1⁄4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1  teaspoon saffron (optional)
• 1  cup  unsalted shelled pistachio nut, cut into thin slices

Directions

1. In a large bowl, mix yogurt and sour cream together.
2. Pour the yogurt mixture into a large colander with a cheese cloth liner.
3. Allow draining for about 12 hours.
4. Transfer the mixture into a mixing bowl.
5. Dissolve saffron, if used, in luke warm cream.
6. To the yogurt mixture add sugar, cinnamon, black pepper, cardamom, nutmeg, dissolved saffron, and pistachio nuts; fold in thoroughly.
7. Chill overnight in refrigerator.
8. To serve, scoop a cup of chilled dessert into a serving plate, topped with a generous amount of unsalted, shelled, whole pistachio nuts.