Zaffrani Shorba

Zaffran means Saffron or Kesar. Zaffrani Shorba is an interesting, rich and aromatic Mughlai Soup that has flavours of spices. A bowl of this Shorba will make your day.

Servings: 3-4 Servings

Approx. Time: 30 Min

Ingredients:
For Stock:
1 tspn Butter
1 Bay Leaf (Tamalpatra)
2-3 cloves (Lavang)
1/2 inch Cinnamon Piece
1 Mace (Javitri)
5-6 Black Peppercons
4 Cups Water
5-6 Saffron Strands

For Zaffrani Shorba:
1 tbpns Butter
2-3 Garlic cloves
1 cup roughly Chopped Onions
1 cup Cauliflower Florets
1/2 cup Chopped Carrot
1 and Half cup milk
1/2 tspn Green chilly paste / chopped Green chillies
1 tbspn Chick Pea flour (Besan)
Salt to taste
1 tspn Sugar
Stock (As above)
1/2 tspn Paprika 
5-6 Saffron Strands

For Garnishing :
Saffron Strands
Chilli Flakes

Method:

To make the aromatic Stock:

Heat Butter in a pan. Add Bay leaf, cloves, Cinnamon, Mace (Javitri) and Peppercons to it. Saute it for a minute. Then add Water to the mixture. Boil it for 20-30 minutes and add Saffron Strands. Switch off the flame and rest it for minimum half an hour. Strain the stock and keep it aside for using it in the Shorba.

To make Zaffrani Shorba:

Heat butter in a pan. Add garlic cloves and chopped Onion to it. Saute it for 3-4 minutes. Then add Cauliflower Florets and saute it for two minutes. Then add the Carrot and again saute. Add milk to the vegetables and mix well. Then add chopped Green chillies or Green Chilli paste to the mixture.  Cook the mixture till the moisture in the milk evaporates. Then add Besan and mix till the mixture becomes thick and dry. 

Allow it to cool for some time. Then transfer it into a blender and blend it into a smooth paste. Add some Stock while blending in order to make the mixture smooth. 

Transfer the paste into a pan. Add the remaining aromatic stock to the paste. Heat the mixture till one boil. Season it with Salt and Sugar. Check the Seasoning and finish it with Saffron Strands and Paprika. Garnish it with Saffron Strands and Chilli flakes / Paprika. Serve hot 

with Garlic Bread / Toast.

Notes:

If you want some crunch in the Shorba, shallow fry Carrot cubes / Finely chopped French Beans in butter and add it to the Shorba.

Stepwise Pictures: