Parsi cuisine has always offered a variety of delightful dishes, even if they haven’t gained mainstream popularity like other cuisines. These dishes maintain their traditional flavors while presenting them in innovative ways. Following the sad passing of Shri Ratan Tata, his culinary preferences have come into the spotlight.
Ratan Naval Tata, a distinguished industrialist and philanthropist, and former chairman of Tata Sons, passed away at 86. Known for his dedication and simplicity, Ratan Tata had a fondness for traditional Parsi dishes, one of which is the iconic ‘lagan nu custard.’
Lagan nu custard is a delightful Parsi dessert popular at weddings and served during Navjote ceremonies. This dish can be easily prepared at home and features a rich blend of milk, nutmeg, vanilla essence, and cardamom. Some sources suggest that this pudding is inspired by British custard. Traditionally served as part of a meal with 7-11 courses, lagan nu custard is baked in large trays and has a silky-smooth texture, making it a perfect choice for festive feasting.
You can recreate Ratan Tata’s favorite dessert at home with these simple steps and ingredients.
Step 1: Begin by boiling the milk in a vessel and reduce it to half its volume. Grate a quarter of the nutmeg and add it to the mixture, along with 10 almonds. Stir in the vanilla essence and mix well. Allow the milk to cool, then preheat the oven.
Step 2: In a separate bowl, beat the eggs and combine them with the reduced milk mixture. Pour this egg-milk mixture into a greased baking tray and sprinkle the remaining nuts on top. Place the tray in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.
Step 3: To check if the custard is properly baked, use a toothpick. Once done, remove it from the oven and garnish with chopped nuts for an appealing presentation. Cut the custard into desired shapes and serve warm.
