Chilled Custard Fruit- Dry Fruit Salad.

"Chilled Custard Fruit - Dry Fruit Salad" ... here is a delicious healthy fruit cocktail with addition of both fresh fruits and dry fruits with vanilla flavored custard ... Yummilicious .....

** Fruits salad have always been my favorite desserts and when my family or friends preferred to order Ice Cream, I always ordered for fruit salad but off course topped with vanilla ice cream. Those days preparing Ice Cream was not much into practice at home while custard was always easy to prepare and we did so and I loved the custard fruit salad to very much. Before one begins to wonder if I have a sweet tooth, well no, I guess I have mixed interests I love all food that is tasty and there is really nothing much that I dislike. 

** Fruits salad can also be served as it is, by sweetening it a bit or topped with eaten cream and that too is my favorite. My Blog really lacks posts on these desserts as I hardly prepare them over the years now. However, recently I have begun to prefer more to Custard as it is healthier with inclusion of fruits and dry fruits and the custard too is of milk base and is really easy to prepare. All you need are just three ingredients milk, sugar and custard powder and in no time you can prepare it except for the fact that it needs to be chilled to serve. 

** Addition of fruits is definitely loved while addition of jelly is a choice though if I have a packet then I prepare the same. Fruits are something easily available, so make the most of it, or that which is available at home. Dry fruit addition is a matter of individual choice, though I love topping it with some and they always are in stock at home. Just follow the instructions on the packet for preparation of custard and jelly as at times each brand differs in preparation method and you need to check it before preparing out the same.

** Here is my simple method for "Chilled Custard Fruit - Dry Fruit Salad" ... My Style ....

** For the Custard : Prepare the custard as per the directions on the packet. I prepared Vanillas custard the previous night so that I could chill it properly. You can add a little bit of more custard powder than what is mentioned on the packet if you want thicker custard.

** This is how I prepared the Custard : Heat 1 litre of skimmed milk and bring to boil for 5 minutes, stirring well in between and add approximately 2 cups of sugar and mix well till the sugar gets mixed with the milk well. Lower heat to minimum and simmer for a few minutes.

** Meanwhile, In a small bowl mix 4-5 tblsp of vanilla custard powder with 1 cup of water. See to it that there are no lumps. The mixture should be smooth, now add it to the milk and mix well stirring continuously to get evenly thickened textured custard. See to it that the heat is low, once mixed well heat on medium till well thickened. 

** You should keep stirring until the milk is really custard thick in consistency. Remove from heat and keep it aside to let cool completely. Keep stirring in between often so that there is no layer formed on top which often happens as the custard gets cooled which should be avoided. When completely cooled, pour it in a box with tight lid and refrigerate overnight.

** To prepare the Jelly : Just follow the instructions in the packet as is in the case of custard. Most of the time you need to boil water in the given proportion, remove it flame and add in the entire content in the packet mix well till done, allow to cool a bit, pour it into to the mold if you want them in certain shapes or you can put in a wide bowl and allow to set in fridge.

** Wash, wipe dry and cut the desired fruits into bite sized pieces and mix well. I have added one medium sized muskmelon (Chibbad), Black grapes (draksha/ angoor), apple and one large sized pomegranate (dalimb) seeds. Muskmelon should be peeled, the inner seeds discarded and cut, while you can retain the apple skin. 

** Black grapes were large, so I cut them into half. You can add any fruits of your choice, like mangoes, chickoo, orange segments, bananas pears etc. You can add some sugar to the mixed fruits also if desired but as we are adding this to custard which is already sweet, there is no need too and I have not added any, it is a matter of choice. 

** Just before serving add in handful each of chopped walnuts, almonds, dried grapes, pista, cashews etc. or any more of your choice. You can add some roasted melon seeds too, it tastes lovely. If the dry fruits are not crisp enough just roast all the dry fruits except raisins for a few minutes, cool and then add to the custard, say about a cup when all mixed together.

** Remove the prepared jelly of the flavor of your choice cut it also into bite sized pieces and add it to the prepared custard to which fruits and dry fruits have been added on and give a mix. Do not mix vigorously or you will spoil the custard by mashing things up, you need to gently and slowly mix the ingredients till well combined keep all the ingredients intact. 

** Mix the fruits, dry fruits and the custard all together well. Again, keep this covered in the refrigerator for about 2 hours or you can serve the same immediately too. Serve chilled in individual glasses topped with some more dry fruits if desired or if you have Ice Cream at home you can top with a scoop too. I prefer having this as it is as it tastes wonderful.