Basoondi

Ingredients:-

1/2 cup of Almonds
2 tbl spns of Charoli Seeds/chironji
8 Pistas
1 1/2 lts of milk
1/2 cup of sugar
1/2 a cup of condensed milk (optional but tastes good. If not condensed use 3/4 cup if sugar)
1 t spn of saffron.

If using Microwave to make it:-(makes it faster and easier)
Condensed milk is necessary, so add only 1/2 a cup of sugar.
1 t spn of corn starch is needed to thicken the milk.

Method:-
keeping around 5 -6 almonds aside, soak the remaining almonds in warm water and blanch them. Remove the skin and make a fine thick paste.
Soak the saffron if a cold milk [with the corn starch (only if made in microwave)].
Bring the milk to boil either in a heavy bottom pan, open pressure cooker or microwave.
If making it in the pan, always keep the flame in law level so that the malai/ cream doesn't burn at the bottom.
Stirring continuously, bring the quality to half of the original level.
Add the almond paste, sugar and stir well till fully cooked and creamy.
Add condensed milk and cook for another 5 minutes.
Chill and garnish with the remaining almond, chironji and pistas