
It has been a most satisfying week, relaxing, warm, full of reading, sleeping, thinking, writing. I am afraid that the kitchen has been neglected somewhat, thanks to some major dental surgery that has left my mouth sore and definitely unable to eat anything that is not mushy. Porridge is excellent. Soup good. Congee fabulous. Mashes of any type, oh yeah. Smoothies. And yoghurt.
Summer fruits have hit the markets, and these are pretty good if I cut them into small cubes. Yet they have a sourness about them that you don’t normally notice. I don’t mean that they are not yet ripe, they are delicious. But when your mouth has been doctored and stitched back together, the sour note is much more noticeable. I still eat them, they are gorgeous, I am just saying.
In a lovely fit of wanting something mushy but fit for a queen, I made a wonderful rose petal and fruit thick thick yoghurt for dessert. Or is it a main course if there was no fore-course? Whatever. It was, indeed, fit for a queen.
Notes
Thick thick yoghurt is something I often talk about. It is yoghurt that has some or a lot of whey drained from it. It can even be pressed for more “sculptural” yoghurt.
To make thick thick yoghurt, the details are here. If you would like to see how very sculptural thick thick yoghurt can get, have a look at last week’s post here.
If you are not keen to drain your own yoghurt there are a couple of alternatives. Buy a thick Greek yoghurt – it is not the same but it will be fine. Also if you are lucky enough to have an Indian grocer near you, they may have some real Indian yoghurt. I use Desi brand. It is rich and creamy and will be wonderful to use.
You can get rose petals from a number of places. If you grow roses and they have no pesticides on them, you can use fragrant red rose petals, cut into small pieces. Use a scissors. Asian/Chinese shops have small rose buds that you can make tea from, looking like this:
But the method I use is to purchase dried, crumbled rose petals from a Middle Eastern/ Persian shop. They use them specifically for flavouring yoghurt and milk.
Failing all of that, use a little rosewater.

Thick Thick Yoghurt with Rose Petals and Fruit
Source : inspired by conversations with people about rose petals
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Prep time: 10 mins if thick thick yoghurt is on hand
Cooking time: 0 mins
Serves: 4 people, depending how you use it
ingredients
Thick thick yoghurt (see above)
Rose petals (see above)
Fruit - I used passionfruit, peach and nectarine.
1 – 2 tspn castor sugar (optional)
non-salted pistachios, for serving
method
Chop the fruit into small cubes.
Mix the sugar through the yoghurt, ensuring it dissolves into the yoghurt. The amount will depend on the sourness of the yoghurt, but you don’t want it to be too sweet.
Mix the rose petals with the yoghurt and then mix the fruit through. Set aside in the fridge for a couple of hours to allow the rose perfume and flavour to infuse the yoghurt.
Serve in the most beautiful bowl that you have. Top with some crumbled pistachio nuts. Eat it as though it is a precious thing. It is.
Feel thankful that we live in such a wonderful world. Enjoy!

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17 responses so far ↓
Maninas // November 9, 2009 at 6:38 am |
This sounds really good.
Ganga // November 9, 2009 at 7:28 pm |
Thanks, Maninas, nice to see you again! I hope all is well with you.
Arun Shanbhag // November 9, 2009 at 7:40 am |
That looks delicious! And I even have a yogurt strainer!
I guess roses from a florist are out?
Ganga // November 9, 2009 at 7:29 pm |
I am afraid so, Arun. Do you know, I never knew of the existence of special yoghurt straining equipment!
uberVU - social comments // November 9, 2009 at 9:48 am |
Social comments and analytics for this post…
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Lorraine @NotQuiteNigella // November 9, 2009 at 2:09 pm |
That looks so elegant and indulgent! I love the colours too
Ganga // November 9, 2009 at 7:30 pm |
Totally indulgent!
notyet100 // November 9, 2009 at 5:35 pm |
mmm,,..must have smelt good,..
ilva // November 9, 2009 at 6:55 pm |
This is perfect for my oldest daughter who absolutely loves anything with roses in it! Thanks!
Ganga // November 9, 2009 at 7:30 pm |
Great taste she has! I am glad I could help. Take care.
Aparna // November 9, 2009 at 7:03 pm |
Almost looks like a rose shrikand. Yum!
Ganga // November 9, 2009 at 7:36 pm |
Yes! next time I will add saffron and cardamom too. I love that idea.
Sra // November 9, 2009 at 10:21 pm |
How very exotic and unusual. I’d probably make it just for the visual pleasure, I don’t like the taste of rose petals.
tobias cooks! // November 11, 2009 at 7:24 am |
What a great combination. Truly unusual.
Janet_Gourmet Traveller 88 // November 11, 2009 at 9:14 am |
This is really unique !!! Great photo!
Soma // November 18, 2009 at 12:31 am |
Absolutely gorgeous! I have done a rose petal yogurt mousse from the roses in my garden. I have to do this before the winter sets in my yard.
Ganga // November 18, 2009 at 8:38 am |
Hi Soma, what a beautiful name! I am glad that you returned, and yes, use up those rose petals!