Mahashivratri special

"Mahashivratri /Sivaratri"means "Night of lord Shiva" . It is celebrated on the 13/14 night of the phalgun month according to the Hindu calender(falls Between February-March).On this day devotees of Lord shiva visits temples and offer unpasteurized milk and bael patta( Bengal Quince/stone apple) on lord Shiva  for refrence:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahashivratri. ,http://www.mahashivratri.org/significance-of-shivratri.html
 According to legends lord Shiva were married to Parvati on the day of Shivaratri :and thus ,On this Holy day married women pray to Lord Shiva for well being of their Husbands and unmarried girls pray for a suitable life partner. :http://www.mahashivratri.org/marriage-of-shiva-and-shakti.html
It is also believed that Lord Shiva Is the destructor of any Evil entity that exists on earth, hence people Praise lord Shiva by fasting and chanting verses for the whole day...


Some of Special recipes that are prepared on this Day for fasting and for Offering are as follows:
"Rabdi"

This is a pure milk sweet which is made by thickening the  milk and sugar on low heat . It is flavored with saffron strands and cardamom powder. Additional Dry fruits are also some times added to get a very rich taste.!!
Ingredients:
1 liter full cream milk
3/4 cup sugar
3 tablespoon milk powder
few saffron strands
1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder
Method:
In a heavy base pan, boil the milk.

Boiling milk

After the first boil, reduce the flame to low-medium.
Add the sugar and stir well.
Let the milk thicken slowly, add the milk powder and blend it well.
After 30 minutes the milk will start to thicken a little. Occasionally keep stirring to avoid the milk to stick to the pan.
After 30 more minutes The consistency of the milk will be Semi thick. Remove it from flame.

Rabdi

Add the saffron and cardamom powder, mix well. For garnishing Sprinkle few saffron strands on rabdi

Delicious "Rabdi" is ready!!  A good Milk Sweet for Post fasting dinner!!!
Optional notes:
Rabdi can be prepared in advance and stored in fridge for consumption within 1 or 2 days!!
If in a hurry, One can make it on medium flame while stirring continuously and adding 6 tablespoon milk powder for instant thickening...
One can add fruit pulps like Strawberry, Apple and custard apple to rabdi to make it more tasty and good for kids..
One can serve it either at room temperature or can serve it after cooling in fridge.
"Rabdi " can also be served with Gulab jamun and Shahi toast...
Some other fasting Food: Sabudana khichdi