Fruit Custard

It is also known as Fruit salad with custard. This is my childhood favorite. My mom makes it during Diwali and sometimes for special guests. We usually serve this with a meal on the side with poori. I have eaten this many times in wedding functions during the summer season. If this is not on the menu then aamras must be there. Many times I do make a similar dessert recipe using mixed fruits which is fruit cream. This can be made in bulk very easily without any extra effort by making double or triple the quantity if you are having small get together or party.

Step By Step Photo Instructions:

1. Take custard powder in a small bowl.
2. Add ½ cup of milk and dissolve it. Make sure there are no lumps.
3. Now take remaining 2 cups of milk in a heavy bottom pan on medium heat.
4. Add sugar and mix.
5. With stirring once in awhile bring the milk to a boil.
6. Once it starts boiling, add prepared custard milk mixture. While adding keep stirring constantly to avoid lump formation.
7. Now with stirring constantly, bring it to a simmer.
8. And cook for 4-5 minutes or till it becomes thick. Keep in mind that it will get thicker as it cools.
9. Once thickened, turn off the stove. Remove the custard in a bowl. Bring it to room temperature and the chill into the fridge. It is important to CHILL THE CUSTARD before adding fruits.
10. Chop the fruits and make sure to cut all the fruits into same bite-size pieces.
11. Add the cut fruits immediately into the chilled custard.
12. Stir to combine, again cover the bowl and chill in the fridge for a couple of hours and then serve. This fruit custard must be served chilled to get the best taste. It can be served as a dessert after a meal or along with your meal.

Variations:

You can try with different flavored custard powder. Here I have used vanilla custard powder.  Few other options are mango, strawberry, banana custard powder. All these flavors are available in Indian grocery stores. If you want/prefer, you can add chopped nuts or dry fruits like almonds, cashews or raisins, chopped dates, dried figs in it.

Which fruits to add and not to add ?

Here I have added banana, apple, grapes, pomegranate, chickoo and mangoes which my mom, grandmom have used all the time. So these are our favorite and taste good too. You can use your choice of seasonal fruits. Few suggestions are papaya, strawberry, blueberry, pears, fresh figs, etc. Avoid using watery fruits and citrus fruits e.g. watermelon, muskmelon, kiwi, orange, pineapple.