Shikran (Banana Dessert)


Keli chya baaga maama chya.
Pivlya ghaada ni vakaychya.


If you were in an English medium school and Marathi was a second language, you'd remember this poem from your Bal Bharati text book in Std II. It was a poem about the poet's uncle who apparently had some large banana plantations. The poem goes on to describe the how each member of the family tended to the banana plants and it all climaxed in a domestic orgy of Shikran. One may conclude that the uncle's family really, really loved their bananas. Had this poem come in at a slightly later year I am sure one of the pupils would have surely questioned such a banana centric lifestyle. Actually, it was a very sweet poem and whenever I think of Shikran, I cannot help but think of the nicely illustrated yet slightly exaggerated banana plants weighed down by large clusters of ripe yellow bananas. A well prepared bowl of Shikran never fails to transport me back to my mom's kitchen where she'd serve me Shikran and chapattis straight from the skillet brushed with ample amounts of ghee and love.

Ingredients
1 Banana cut into thin round slices
1 cup cooked Whole Milk
2 tsp sugar
4 seeds of Cardamom (Elaichi) crushed
1/4" Vanilla Bean
Pinch of Saffron

Method
In a bowl mix the milk, vanilla bean, cardamom and sugar
Stir till the sugar dissolves
Stir in the bananas
Top with a little saffron if desired
Enjoy with hot chapatis brushed with ample ghee


Visit JFI Banana for more Banana recipes.

Comments

Padma said…
Nice entry and great to see a dessert recipe.. That name is cute, btw are u watching cricket? its India Pak finals....
Tee said…
what a classic recipe! I think i remember this poem but not very clearly...anyhow, shikran is an all time favorite in our family, ani garam garam poli, tyavar bharpur tup ani shikran...wah! Heavenly!!
mb said…
I love these classic, simple recipes. Thanks for a great entry for JFI. -- Mandira
evolvingtastes said…
Indy, vanilla bean in shikraN? That's top notch fusion. :) And thanks for the link to Balbharati - wow, who knew!
amna said…
looks simple and yummy :)
MR said…
nice recipe
love shrikand!!
Chef Jeena said…
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Jeena xx

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Chaitali said…
I once served a jazzed up version of shikran (complete with vanilla beans and a splash of saffron liquer) to my Aaji. Vanilla and daroo in shikran? Sacrilege!
Obviously I was never asked to make shikran again.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Banana custard is also nice receipe similar to this one. some one cud plz post d same

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