Afghan Firni (Rose Water Pudding)

About This Recipe

Firni is Afghanistan's most beloved dessert — a delicate, barely set milk pudding thickened with rice flour, scented with cardamom and rose water, and served in individual clay or ceramic dishes. Unlike heavier puddings, firni is gossamer-light and silky, melting on the tongue. It's garnished with crushed pistachios and a dusting of cardamom, and its perfumed sweetness is the perfect counterpoint to hearty Afghan food.

Ingredients

Serves 6

• 1 literwhole milk
• 1/2 cupsugar
• 4 tbsprice flour
• 1.5 tspground cardamom
• 2 tbsprose water
• 1/4 cuppistachios, finely chopped (to garnish)
• extra cardamomto dust on top

Instructions

1. 1

   Make the base

   Whisk rice flour with 1/4 cup of cold milk until smooth. Combine remaining milk and sugar in a saucepan over medium heat.

2. 2

   Thicken

   When milk is warm (not boiling), add the rice flour mixture. Stir continuously over medium heat until the mixture thickens to a consistency that coats the back of a spoon, about 10–12 minutes.

3. 3

   Flavor

   Remove from heat. Stir in cardamom and rose water.

4. 4

   Set in dishes

   Pour into individual serving dishes or a large serving bowl. Cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours until set.

5. 5

   Garnish and serve

   Sprinkle with crushed pistachios and a dusting of cardamom. Serve cold.

Variations

• •

  Flavor with orange blossom water instead of rose water

• •

  Add a layer of mango purée on top

• •

  Use coconut milk for a dairy-free version

• •

  Vegetarian: swap the protein for roasted king oyster mushrooms, smoked tofu or cooked chickpeas — adjust seasoning slightly upward to compensate.

Storage

Refrigerate up to 4 days. Do not freeze.

Frequently Asked Questions