Page 26 - Masala Lite Issue 158 | February 2024

26 MASALA RECOMMENDS

Some of the best spots in town to meet VIEW VIDEO
your kulfi cravings.

BY MAHMOOD HOSSAIN

Kulfi is such an enticing frozen dairy dessert that even those who are lactose
intolerant will risk a terrible night just to have a bite or two. Originating from
and popularised in 16th Century Delhi, during the Mughal era (surprise, surprise),
kulfi is more than just a South Asian favourite. It made its way to the Middle
East and as far as Trinidad and Tobago. The word kulfi derives from the Persian
word qulfi, which means “covered cup,” and like any other ice cream on a stick
treat, it comes topped and infused with various flavours.

The original mixture of ingredients consisted of dense evaporated milk,
pistachios, and saffron. This is then packed into cones and immersed into AL SARAY
slurry ice, similar to modern-day popsicles. Over the years, many stalls and
shops have provided common kulfi flavours, such as malai (cream), rose, What do you get when you combine the
mango, elaichi (cardamom), and of course, the aforementioned combination Beirut native Chef Mahdi, and Chef
of saffron and nuts. Naturally, we at Masala had to scour the city for its best Sampooran from the foothills of the
iterations of this delicious dessert. Himalayas? Fine Lebanese and Indian
cuisine that offers a unique culinary
experience. Not to mention, delivering
on their promise of a value-for-money
approach. A fine example of this would
be their rich and creamy Strawberry kufli,
with traditional ingredients mixed with
strawberry and garnished with pistachio,
ginger crumbles, dry rose petals, and fresh
MARIGOLD BY CHEF strawberry slices. It was difficult to have
GARIMA ARORA just one and you’ll want to have it all to
yourself.
Marigold by Chef Garima never ceases to
amaze us. It’s not just about the plating, or
their signature flair. It’s about elevating JHAROKHA BY INDUS
authentic flavours, which Marigold (and
the brains behind it) does flawlessly. Only Branching off the ever-consistent
available through their catering menu, Indus, Jharokha by Indus is an elevated
Marigold delivers kuflis in mango, custard experience of North Indian cuisine, but not
apple, and malai. We assumed they couldn’t too high to the point that it’ll hurt your
top themselves with some of the more wallet. However, every item on the menu
basic dessert choices in Indian cuisine. is pure quality, and worth every bite, just
Fortunately, we were proved wrong. These like their heavenly Kufli falooda. It’s light,
kulfis have a perfect balance of flavours, airy, the right amount of sweetness, and
and the texture is equally impressive. If plated beautifully. Some may say that the
you are looking for an ideal kulfi experience, dish has wandered miles away from the
look no further. traditional kulfi, but we’d go as far as to say
it’s a work of art, from the taste and texture,
to its immaculate presentation. If you’re
searching for a unique and contemporary
take on kulfi, Jharokha by Indus delivers on
this and more.

BENARES
YUMMZ KULFI & ICE CREAM
A familiar face to modern Indian fine dining,
YUMMZ Kulfi & Ice Cream, a streetside Benares gives you a uniquely-plated kulfi
stall in the Phahurat district and perhaps of mango, meetha paan, and pistachio,
the most renowned kulfi spot in the list, all presented in a festive manner. The
couldn’t make things more conveniently originality here is much appreciated. But
tasty, as you can book your order of either it’s not about the playful plating and out-
the traditional or large sizes in various of-the-box shapes of each kulfi. The mango,
flavours. Taking a more standard route, for example, was incredibly refreshing,
from its shapes and sizes in popsicle form, ideal for taking a break from the infamous
we suggest trying out their paan, malai, Thai heat. With a firmer bite, the pistachio
almond, rose, pistachio, and saffron was consistent throughout, whereas the
flavours. Not only did it give us flashbacks meetha paan offers a bite of spice as you
to our childhood, but it also reinvigorated would find in betel leaves (also known as
our love for the simplicity of sweet treats; piper betle), while it leaves you with a sweet
the notion that it doesn’t take much effort aftertaste, as you would expect from a
to provide satisfaction with a smile. traditional kulfi.

MASAL A LITE ISSUE 158 - FEBRUARY 2024