Maria Nasir
Ever Heard of Falooda?
It’s a drink. It’s a dessert. Actually, it’s both! Kulfi Falooda is not just a recipe, it’s a summer tradition in South Asia. A delightfully refreshing glass of sweetened milk, mixed with rose syrup, basil seeds and vermicelli and topped with the traditional frozen dairy dessert, Kulfi.
What Makes Kulfi Falooda the Best of Summer Treats:
The rich indulgence and aroma of roses and cardamom are enough to transport you immediately from your surrounding heat to centuries old Persia- the place where Falooda was originated as an ice based concoction. It arrived in India with the Moghuls who loved ornate and aromatic food. Ice was considered an expensive commodity in India, almost a luxury, until the early 20th century.
Evolved Kulfi Falooda:Now that refrigeration is widely available the milk is usually pre-chilled, lots of crushed ice and ice cream are added to make it an ultimately cooling experience in the scorching summer of South Asia. Store bought kulfi or even vanilla or pistachio ice creams are also added for a shortcut version. If you are outside under the sun a cold glass of Kulfi Falooda feels like being in an oasis in a desert.Basil Seeds Cooling Properties & Health Benefits:Basil seeds/takmaria or sabja seeds are reputed to have various health benefits such as aiding digestion, cooling the body, relieving stress and keeping one hydrated for a longer time. Together with vermicelli, chia seeds make it a filling drink/dessert, quite like an ice cream sundae float.
Special Falooda Noodles & Substitutes:
There are special Falooda noodles or sev available to add to this drink/dessert but if you can’t find them, the most easily available substitute I like is rice noodles. You can add any of your favourite ice cream flavours to it but vanilla, pistachio and almond go best with it or check the blog for authentic home made Kulfi
Like This Recipe? Also Try
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons basil seeds/sabja seeds
1+1/2 cups milk
1/4 cup condensed milk
few drops rose water
A few cardamom seeds crushed
4 tablespoons rose syrup/Rooh Afza
1 cup rice noodles or varmecilli
2 scoops ice cream or kulfi
One cup crushed ice
1+1/2 cups milk
1/4 cup condensed milk
few drops rose water
A few cardamom seeds crushed
4 tablespoons rose syrup/Rooh Afza
1 cup rice noodles or varmecilli
2 scoops ice cream or kulfi
One cup crushed ice
This Is What You Do:
Soak basil seeds in water for half an hour. Soak rice noodles in hot water for 10 minutes or till they are soft.Meanwhile prepare the milk syrup. Add milk and crushed cardamom to the pan, bring to a boil. Reduce heat, add condensed milk. Turn off heat, stir in rose water.Set aside to come to room temperature. When the milk is cool enough stir in swollen up basil seeds and refrigerate till chilled.To set, take a tall glass or wide dessert bowl. Pour 1 tablespoon rose syrup at the bottom, then over it half of the milk mix.
Place some noodles in the middle and then top them with crushed ice and ice cream or kulfi with a drizzle of rose syrup again on top.
Serve with a drinking straw and a spoon.
Serves 4
Super Super tempting Kulfi Falooda. I’d always had falooda on its own and kulfi on its own. It was in 2019 that I actually tasted the famous Kailash Part restaurant Kulfi Falooda and loved it. Now I have your recipe to follow to make this delicious and cooling dessert at home.
I haven’t had falooda in such a loooong time, Maria and your image looks so tempting! I just love the recipe and how simple you make it sound. Definitely going to be making this very, very soon, thank you for the recipe.
Kulfi falooda looks absolutely delicious Maria. When my son was a kid, he always asked for this one ! It’s been long time I made it now, will make during summer.
This drink is so intriguing and so beautiful to look at! I just love the sound of it, and am very curious about the noodles in it! What is the consistency like? Do you scoop it into your mouth rather than drink it?
Looks absolutely incredible! I have never made Kulfi falooda in years – it is a favorite of mine though!
Eid mubarak Maria!
In summer this falooda is such a royal treat..Hoping to make them soon
Hi Sathya! 🙂
It’s my summer favourite treat too, I can skip dinner often for this.
Thanks a big bunch and hope you’ll enjoy! xxx
Perfect for a hot summer day.. great recipe Maria:)
Thank you so much, dear Shubha! 🙂 The kind of summer we get in India and Pakistan, ones feels like completely switching to cool drinks and desserts, right! 🙂
That click of yours with the sinfully delicious layers and specks of red glistening here and there and then the rose beside the glass made me imagine Romeo holding the glass and offering it to Julliet with the words “with this I profess my love to thee”. There is something more than just delectable dessert which has got me drooling over this awesome creation of yours.
Haha! 🙂 Thanks a million for this lovely feedback, dearest Piyali 🙂 Actually I was just trying to tie up the image with the rose flavour and aroma of the dessert but after taking the picture I realised it looked pretty romantic. Maybe I’ll make it again for valentine’s day with two drinking straws in it 😉
Love n hugs!