View source for Basundi

{{Short description|Indian sweet}}
{{refimprove|date=April 2012}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2020}}
{{Infobox prepared food
| name               = Basundi
| image              = Basundi in Maharashtrian style.jpg
| alt                = 
| caption            = Basundi in Maharashtra
| alternate_name     = 
| country            = [[Maharashtra]], [[India]] [[Gujarat]] , [[India]]
| region             = [[Maharashtra]], [[Tamil Nadu]], [[Andhra Pradesh]], [[Gujarat]], [[Karnataka]], [[Telangana]]
| creator            = 
| course             = [[Dessert]]
| served             = 
| main_ingredient    = [[Milk]], [[sugar]], [[cardamom]], [[saffron]]
| variations         = 
| calories           = 
| other              = 
}}
'''Basundi''' ({{langx|gu|બાસુંદી}}, {{langx|kn|ಬಾಸುಂದಿ}}, {{langx|mr|बासुंदी}}, {{langx|ta|பாசந்தி}}, {{langx|te|బాసుంది}}) is an [[Indian cuisine|Indian]] [[Indian sweet|sweet]] mostly in [[Maharashtra]], [[Gujarat]], [[Andhra Pradesh]], [[Telangana]], [[Tamil Nadu]] and [[Karnataka]]. It is a sweetened condensed milk made by boiling milk on low heat until the milk is reduced by half. In North India, a similar dish goes by the name ''[[rabri]]''.

It is often made on Hindu festivals such as [[Naraka Chaturdashi|Kali Chaudas]] and [[Bhai Dooj|Bhaubeej]] (Bhai Dooj).

Different styles of basundi are also prepared, such as ''sitaphal'' ([[custard apple]]) ''basundi'' and ''angoor basundi'' (basundi with smaller kinds of ''[[rasgulla]]s'').

==Preparation==
[[Heavy cream]] may be added during the boiling process to hasten the thickening process. Once reduced, a little sugar, cardamom, [[Buchanania lanzan|charoli]], and/or saffron are added. Basundi is preserved well after sugar is added. Sugar develops some acidity over a period of time. If it is excessive, then it can curdle the basundi. Sometimes after adding sugar, one cooks it for some more time; this gives a nice pink color to basundi, as sugar is also cooked in milk turning into a light caramel. Before adding sugar, basundi is thick, but after adding, it becomes fluid again. Stirring well prevents ''[[malai]]'' from being formed on top and all guests (even late comers) can enjoy equally thick and plain basundi. Basundi is served chilled, often garnished with slices of [[almond]]s and [[pistachio]]s.<ref>{{cite web|last=Dalal|first=Tarla|title=Basundi ( Gujarati Recipe)|url=http://www.tarladalal.com/Basundi-%28-Gujarati-Recipe%29-633r|publisher=Tarladalal.com|access-date=16 May 2012|archive-date=7 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120607014419/http://tarladalal.com/Basundi-(-Gujarati-Recipe)-633r|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Dalal|first=Tarla|title=Basundi ( Gujarati Recipe)|url=http://www.tarladalal.com/Basundi-%28-Gujarati-Recipe%29-633r|publisher=Tarladalal.com|accessdate=16 May 2012|archive-date=7 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120607014419/http://tarladalal.com/Basundi-(-Gujarati-Recipe)-633r|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chitrasfoodbook.com/2014/02/basundi-indian-dessert-recipes.html|title=Basundi recipe-Indian dessert recipes|website=www.chitrasfoodbook.com|date=14 February 2014|access-date=20 April 2020}}</ref> The addition of condensed milk gives a nice flavour and richness to basundi.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.sharmispassions.com/2015/01/basundi-recipe-how-to-make-basundi.html | title=Basundi Recipe - How to make basundi | date=1 January 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150104052955/http://www.sharmispassions.com/2015/01/basundi-recipe-how-to-make-basundi.html | archive-date=4 January 2015}}</ref>

==How to serve==
Basundi can be served hot, warm or chilled. It is often served with [[Puri (food)|puris]] (fried Indian flatbread).

==Ingredients==
[[File:A matka full of frozen Saffron Basundi.jpg|thumb|A matka full of frozen Saffron Basundi]]
This milk that is flavored with cardamom powder and saffron basundi varies as per the quantity of saffron. Add less for mild colour.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.chitrasfoodbook.com/2014/02/basundi-indian-dessert-recipes.html|title=BASUNDI RECIPE-INDIAN DESSERT RECIPES}}</ref> The addition of condensed milk gives a nice flavour and wealth to basundi.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sharmispassions.com/2015/01/basundi-recipe-how-to-make-basundi.html |title=Basundi Recipe - How to make basundi &#124; Sharmis Passions |accessdate=2015-04-21 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150104052955/http://www.sharmispassions.com/2015/01/basundi-recipe-how-to-make-basundi.html |archivedate=2015-01-04 }}</ref>

==Nutritional value==
* Milk - Milk provides daily allowance of [[Calcium]]. The calcium in milk protects teeth and bones. [[Protein]] is another key nutrient which milk is rich in - 8.6g.
* Almonds - Almonds are rich in B complex vitamins such as [[Vitamin B1]], [[Vitamin B3]], [[Thiamine]], [[Niacin (substance)|Niacine]] and [[Folate]] which plays an important role in brain development.<ref>  {{cite web|url=https://m.tarladalal.com/calories-for-basundi--gujarati-recipe-recipe---how-to-make-basundi-633|title=Nutritional value in Basundi}}</ref>

==Regional variants==
===Narsobawadi===
'''Narsobawadi Basundi''' is a variant from [[Narsobawadi]], [[Maharashtra]]. It is a sweetened dense milk made by boiling milk on low heat until the milk is reduced.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.maayboli.com/node/19676|title=&#124;|website=www.maayboli.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.misalpav.com/node/27489|title=नरसोबाची वाडी &#124; मिसळपाव|website=www.misalpav.com}}</ref><ref>[http://archive.prahaar.in/collag/69187.txt Narsobawadi Basundi] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170510155818/http://archive.prahaar.in/collag/69187.txt |date=2017-05-10 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mahalaxmikolhapur.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=58&Itemid=83|title=Shree Karveer Niwasini Ambabai Mahalaxmi|website=www.mahalaxmikolhapur.com}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Rabri]], a thicker variant

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Indian desserts]]
[[Category:Gujarati cuisine]]
[[Category:Indian dairy products]]
[[Category:Maharashtrian cuisine]]
[[Category:Karnataka cuisine]]
[[Category:Milk desserts]]