Luchir Payes (Milk pudding with puri or fried flat bread)

Let me wish you a very happy new year once again. Hope by now you are done with making your resolution list and like any other beginning must have started on the new journey with much vigor and enthusiasm. I wanted to make resolutions too but with the present situation of society thinking about New Year resolutions feels like being selfish. The incidents that took place at the end of last year, one in USA and one in Delhi made me sit back and think where we actually are going. There is very little thing that we as persons can change in the bigger picture but with my little understanding I believe society is the collective body that includes all of us. so little changes in our responsive behaviors can send messages that can change such occurring in the long run.

I am no expert in pinpointing the problem areas but definitely we need to slow down a little bit in our quest to achievement.  Which makes us so super busy that thing that does not affect us directly fails to touch us. We treat them as just another matter. Evil minds would always be there but they become dangerous when no one resists. Being a part of the society its our collective duty to protest wrong deeds even if it does not affect us directly. Lets not wait till it reaches our own homes. Ignorance is not always bliss and blaming is the easiest way out. And that’s where my resolution lies.

This year I wish to take responsibility and be more responsive towards life and society.

Wish to be more open to changes and resist and fret less.

Wish to take things in my own hand and be less blaming if things go wrong.

Health has been a perpetual issue for me and its time I do something about it.

And definitely less procrastination and start those two things that I have been planning the whole of last year.

When it comes to life am pretty traditional and like every other year would love to start this year’s journey with something sweet. So here is my recipe for Luchi’r Payes or fried Indian bread (puri but the Bengali version with prepared with refined flour) simmered in thickened milk. Trust me as much as it sounds weird it tastes absolutely delicious. As kids we often fought for the puffed part of the luchi which when soaked in thickened milk tastes absolutely like fresh malai. And on that line this dish tastes very much like Bengali Rabdi but definitely less sweet and less rich.

This recipe again comes from my great dida’s (Maternal grand mother) kitchen and am sure many of my Bengali friends would be familiar with this dish. This is my go to party dessert recipe when I have fewer ingredients at home. make it once and I can gurantee you would be hooked for life.

Luchi’r Payes

(serves 4-5)

Ingredients:

Milk: 1 liter (preferably full fat)

Condensed milk: 1/3 cup

Luchi: 8-9 (RECIPE HERE) also please see notes below

Sugar: 3-4 tbsp

Cashew nuts: handful

Ghee or butter: ½ tsp

Green cardamom: 2-3

Method:

Place the milk in a heavy bottom pan and start boiling it. be careful and keep stirring. Thicken the milk for 12-15 minutes.

While the milk is thickening tear the luchis in 4-5 big pieces. Grind the cardamom to a coarse powder and keep aside.

Heat another small pan with the ghee and fry the cashew nuts till golden. Keep aside.

Once the milk thickens a little bit add the condensed milk. Stir and taste and then as per your liking add more sugar. Mix in the fried nuts and boil for another 3-4 minutes.

Switch off the flame and immediately add the luchis and mix carefully. Sprinkle the cardamom powder and partially cover the dish for 5 minutes. Mix again and then let it cool down.

Serve chilled or at room temperature.

A Homemaker’s Notes:

Prepare the luchis as per this recipe and fry them little longer till they turn light brown and crisp up a little bit. The reason I like using little crisp luchis as this soaks the milk better and still hold its shape.

You can also add soaked raisins if you like.

If you don’t want to stir and thicken the milk for such a long time try using half and half or any other ready-made version of it. I never used them though.

The recipe is simple but remember that luchi would soak a substantial amount of milk so depending on the size of luchi decide the quantity of the milk. if it becomes dry then mix some more thickened milk and you would be fine. 

I have seen at some families the size of the luchis are huge. in that case please adjust amount of milk. I used medium sized (3-3.5" diameter approximately) luchis for this.

while storing in fridge please cover the cold payes otherwise it becomes dry too.

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