Tea - Buttermilk Burfi (Sweet)

         This is a Burfi made from Buttermilk and flavoured with tea, cardamoms, ginger, cinnamon and vanilla essence. I was inspired from the original Italian recipe of Tea Panna Cotta. 

         Any flavoured tea like Earl Grey or green Tea can be used and I thickened it with some agar agar powder. This needs a little bit of patience as it requires a fair amount of time to simmer the contents on a low flame. The result are these delicately flavoured Burfi a la Indian style.

• 1/2 litre buttermilk
• 1/2 cup hot water
• 1/2 cup lukewarm water
• 2-3 tea bags
• 1 tsp. ginger, grated
• 2-3 cardamoms, bruised
• 1 1/2 tbsp. agar agar powder
• 1/2 cup powdered brown sugar or to taste
• 1/4 tsp. cinnamon powder
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla essence
• 1 tbsp. chopped nuts

         In 1/2 cup hot water, place the tea bags, cardamoms and ginger. Cover and keep aside for 30 minutes to brew.

          Strain and add to the buttermilk, sugar, cinnamon powder and vanilla essence. Give it a whisk.

          Add the agar agar powder to the lukewarm water and mix well. Add this to the buttermilk mix along with 1/2 of the mixed nuts.

          Transfer the contents to a non-stick pan and start simmering on a low flame. Stir continuously till it reduces and becomes a sticky mass. (This will take approx. 25-30 minutes).

          Transfer it to a greased plate and garnish with the remaining nuts. Keep aside for a couple of minutes to cool down. Cut into desired shapes and refrigerate to chill before serving.