- Submitted by Dahlia
(Indian Fruit Salad, Eggless Fruit Custard)
Fruit Custard is a classic Indian dessert that has been served since years. Even today it is made in most homes and even restaurants. It is one of the simplest to make yet very satisfying and refreshing. After a heavy meal, who doesn't enjoy some cool fruits? When assorted chopped fruits are combined with some cool creamy custard it is surely a heavenly one. The custard in this case is made with store bought custard powder . This powder is sold in different flavors like strawberry, vanilla and mango. It is made with corn starch is is completely vegetarian (no eggs added).
My memories of this dessert are real good ones - not only with the eating part but also making it. I have been making this since I was 13. My mom used to tell me to make this whenever we have guests at home. She had one thing less to worry about and I absolutely loved the process of making it. It is a great dessert that can be made ahead and refrigerated. Another interesting thing about this dessert is that you can include all the fruits that are seasonal or that you have on hand. If you do not prefer a particular fruit, you may very well skip it. I have one aunt who like to add bananas and chopped nuts to her custard. I personally do not add nuts, but I enjoy adding fruits of different colors to make it eye appealing.
Here is the recipes to make this healthy dessert. Its a great way to have kids eat their portion of milk and fruits.
Recipe for Fruit Custard
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 10 minutes
Serves: 6-8
Ingredients
- Vanilla flavored Custard powder - 2 tbsp
- Cold Milk – ¼ cup
- Milk - 500 ml (about 2.5 cups)
- Sugar - 1/4 cup or as required
- Mixed fruits – 3 cups (chopped)
Method
- Take 2 tbsp of custard powder in a bowl. Add about ¼ cup of cool milk to this and mix until it forms a smooth paste.
- Take the remaining milk (500 ml) in a sauce pan and heat it.
- When it begins to boil, add the sugar.
- Reduce the heat and slowly add the custard mixed milk. Keep stirring continuously so that lumps are not formed.
- Cook on low heat with constant stirring for about 3-5 minutes. The custard milk will thicken and the raw flavor disappears.
- Switch off and let it cool in the refrigerator.
- While it is cooling, chop some assorted fruits. The choice of fruits is up to you. I have used apple, pear, banana, pomegranate, musk melon and grapes. Other seasonal fruits like mango, sapodilla, jackfruit, papaya, pineapple, peach, kiwi, dragon fruit, orange segments, lychee, strawberry, other berries, mixed chopped nuts etc. can be added.
- When serving, take chopped fruits in individual serving bowls and pour enough custard on top. Enjoy cool and healthy fruit salad.
Detailed Steps for making Fruit Custard
Take about 2 tbsp of custard powder in a bowl. If you prefer your custard thick, take an additional ½ tbsp. of custard powder. I have used vanilla flavored custard powder which blends very well with any fruits added. You can use other flavors too.
Add about ¼ cup of cool milk to this. It is important to mix the custard powder with cool milk otherwise it will form lumps.
Mix it with a spoon until it forms a smooth slurry. It will easily get dissolved with the milk.
Take milk in a sauce pan and heat it. I usually make with 1/2 liter of milk which is the perfect quantity for a family to enjoy for 2 days. It is also sufficient when you have another family visiting. For making bigger batches, you can easily multiply the ingredients.
When the milk begins to boil, add the sugar and simmer for couple of minutes until it dissolves.
Reduce the heat and slowly add the custard mixed milk. Keep stirring continuously so that lumps are not formed.
Cook on low heat with constant stirring for about 3-5 minutes. Within 5 minutes, the raw smell of corn starch will disappear and you will get a nice vanilla flavor. You will also see that the milk thickens to form the custard.
Switch off and let it cool doen. I usually keep it in the refrigerator to cool it faster. The custard thickens little more as it cools. To avoid a thick film from forming on top of the custard, mix the custard once in a while.
In the meantime you can prepare and chop the fruits. It is a great dessert wherein you can include all your favorite fruits and skip the ones you do not like. All the fruits that tends to change color like apple, pear or banana, it needs to be kept in some water until you are ready to mix with the custard. Also it is better to avoid fruits like watermelon that would make the custard watery.
You can mix the fruits with the custard and chill it until ready to serve. Alternatively, you can refrigerate chopped fruits and custard separately. When serving, take chopped fruits in individual serving bowls and pour enough custard on top. Either way, the dessert tastes best when served chilled.
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