Falooda

A traditional multi-layer dessert

• CuisineIndian
• CategorySweets
• CourseDessert

Ingredients

• ½ cupVermicelli
• 2 cupsMilk
• 6 tbspSugar
• 1 cupRose syrup
• 1 packStrawberry jelly mix (to make 500ml)
• 1 tbspSabja
• 1 cupVanilla ice cream

Preparation

1. Heat 2 cups of milk and 2 cups of water and add the sugar
2. When near boiling, add vermicelli and simmer for 20 minutes
3. Remove and allow to cool and then chill
4. Make strawberry jelly from the instructions on the packet
5. Soak the sabja in 1 cup of water adding more if needed
6. Take four tall glasses and add the rose syrup
7. Carefully add vermicelli and milk without disturbing the syrup layer
8. Add the sabja
9. Break the jelly into small pieces and add
10. Get some sweetened milk from the vermicelli and add on top of the jelly
11. Top with vanilla ice cream

This Indian version of the milkshake has many variations. The colourful presentation is part of the dish. I used rose syrup. I would avoid Rooh Afza (a popular cordial base) though it has the required red colour. It lacks the strong rose flavour. The other option, if you can find it, is a kesar syrup. Ostensibly saffron based, it is orange in colour.

The vermicelli is in short pieces. There are coloured versions of this as well for Falooda and other desserts. The sabja is an ingredient that is a bit hard to find. It is the seeds from a basil plant. Soaked in water, it swells up dramatically and develops a gel like outer layer. No falooda is complete without it.

The next layer is the jelly - another chance to add some more colour. I used strawberry jelly for its deep red colour but you can use any flavour. You can make more than one flavour or colour of jelly and mix them up. Next up is the vanilla ice cream, thankfully just in plain white. Among the many variations is to use kulfi instead and topping with chopped nuts, both of which I avoided here.

The rose syrup is quite sweet and even if you like eating it in layers, give the rose syrup layer a good stir. Coming at the end of the meal, this can be quite filling. That is the reason the glass in the picture is half empty. Or half full.