Phirni

{{Short description|Indo-Persian rice pudding}} thumb|Phirni '''Phirni''' or '''firni''' is a rice pudding dessert made with ground rice, rice flour or cornflour cooked in milk. It is eaten chilled and traditionally served in clay bowls called ''shikoras''. It is flavored with aromatic spices such as cardamom, saffron, and rose water, and garnished with nuts like almonds and pistachios, along with rose petals, ''vark'' etc. Phirni and its variations can be found all over the Indian subcontinent, Middle East (muhallabia), Iran (''fereni'')<ref>{{Cite web |title=رمضان در گلستان با عطر «بوروک»؛ سفره‌های رنگین از «چکدرمه» تا «باسترمه» |trans-title=Ramadan in Golestan with the aroma of Boruk |url=https://www.isna.ir/news/1404120200521/%D8%B1%D9%85%D8%B6%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%DA%AF%D9%84%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A8%D8%A7-%D8%B9%D8%B7%D8%B1-%D8%A8%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%88%DA%A9-%D8%B3%D9%81%D8%B1%D9%87-%D9%87%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%B1%D9%86%DA%AF%DB%8C%D9%86-%D8%A7%D8%B2-%DA%86%DA%A9%D8%AF%D8%B1%D9%85%D9%87-%D8%AA%D8%A7 |access-date= |website=www.isna.ir |language=fa |quote= |trans-quote=Fereni should be called the highlight of the iftar tables in Gorgan. This traditional dessert, which is prepared with rice flour, milk, and sugar, has been a permanent part of iftar tables from the past to the present.}}</ref> and Afghanistan.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Davidson |first=Alan |url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=RL6LAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA308 |title=The Oxford Companion to Food |date=2014 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-967733-7 |language=en|pages=308}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2021-05-03 |title=Phirni, Muhalabia and Blancmange – many names for the same dessert |url=https://gulfnews.com/food/phirni-muhalabia-and-blancmange--many-names-for-the-same-dessert-1.1610623574357 |access-date= |website=gulfnews.com |language=}}</ref>

Phirni's origins in India date back to the Mughal era, where it was served as a royal dessert. The name ''phirni'' is derived from the Persian word ''firni'', meaning "rice pudding".<ref name=":0" /> In Kashmir, it is referred to as ''firin'' and is usually flavored with rose water or kewra essence. In Afghanistan, ''firnee'' is usually made with cornstarch.<ref>{{Cite web |title=FIRNI (AFGHAN CUSTARD) {{!}} Food.com |url=https://www.food.com/amp/recipe/firni-afghan-custard-521955 |access-date= |website=www.food.com}}</ref> Rose water-flavored and banana-flavored firnee are the two popular varieties.

It is often prepared for occasions and festivals such as Eid.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-03-11 |title=For Ramadan, a symphony of Phirni flavours reaches a delectable crescendo |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/htcity/htcity-foodies/for-ramadan-a-symphony-of-phirni-flavours-reaches-a-delectable-crescendo-101710161123893.html |access-date= |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Story Behind Phirni And Types Of Shahi Desserts To Try This Ramadan |url=https://www.slurrp.com/article/story-behind-phirni-and-types-of-shahi-desserts-to-try-this-ramadan-1648736497914 |website=Slurrp |language=en}}</ref> TasteAltas featured phirni in the top 100 Best Desserts in the World<ref>{{Cite web |title=These are the 100 Best Desserts in the World to try in 2026 - TasteAtlas Awards 25/26 |url=https://www.tasteatlas.com/best/desserts |access-date= |website=www.tasteatlas.com}}</ref> and top 30 Rice Puddings in the World.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Top 32 Rice Puddings in the World |url=https://www.tasteatlas.com/best-rated-rice-puddings-in-the-world |website=www.tasteatlas.com.}}</ref>

== Gallery == <gallery> File:More phirni (3879759918).jpg|Phirni sellers in Mumbai File:Phirni made using basic ingredients.jpg|Phirni garnished with saffron File:Pista Phirni.jpg|Phirni with ''vark'' File:Phirni, the food of the Mughals.jpg|Phirni File:Mango Firni - Home - Chandigarh - India - 00012.jpg|Mango phirni File:Phirni.jpg|Phirni with rose petals File:Mango Phirni, Southern Asia, India, Img 0001.jpg|Phirni </gallery>

==See also== * Porridge * Kheer * Shir Berenj * Keşkül * Blancmange

==References== {{Reflist}}

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Category:Iranian desserts Category:Indian rice dishes Category:Indian desserts Category:Afghan desserts Category:Rice pudding