Fereni: A Persian comfort desert

Tastes savory; feels homey; looks dreamy: That’s Fereni: A pudding made of rice flour, milk, sugar and rosewater. This is a desert for all seasons, but a winter delight in particular.

• Ingredients: (for a small bowl serving 2)
• 2 cups milk
• 2 tbsp. rice flour (or corn starch)
• 4 tbsp. sugar
• 2 tbsp. rosewater
• About half an hour of patience!
• Note: Some replace rice flour with corn starch to make starch fereni.

Method: Pour milk, rice flour and sugar in to a small pot. Place it over low-medium heat and stir, first frequently then constantly, until the mix thickens – this would take about 25-30 minutes.

When the mixture is as thick as yogurt (you should see the slow motion of the mixture at the bottom of the pot when you tilt it a bit) add rose water and continue to stir for another few minutes.

Transfer the cooked and thickened mixture in to a serving bowl and let cool. The cooling process helps further thicken Fereni.

You can garnish with powdered cinnamon, sliced pistachio and silvered almond. OR, you could serve it as is:  plain and pretty!