Hung Curd Recipe

Hung curd is nothing but a thick curd from which all its water has been removed. The recipe uses only one ingredient which is homemade curd. I have already shared how to make curd at home in my blog.

Curd is a good source of probiotics which promotes good gut health. Making hung curd at home does not require any special skills or tools, just curd, strain and squeeze all the water out. It yields a thick, creamy curd similar to cream cheese.

Hung Curd

Hung curd is one of the most versatile ingredient on hand. You can make a great desert out of it by mixing it with some sugar and some other stuffs. Check out my shrikhand recipe. Believe it or not I make my cream cheese frosting using this, because I cannot find cream cheese in my place. I made this last week because i made a special mango desert using this.

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What is Curd

Curd is a dairy product made by fermenting the milk with a little amount of previously set curd, which acts as a bacteria. This process involves curdling the milk into a thick and creamy texture. Curd is one of the staple ingredients used in Indian households for making curd rice, raita and dip. Curd is also known as “Dahi” in Hindi and “Thayir” in Tamil.

About Hung Curd

Hung curd is a thick and creamy curd similar to cream cheese. The process of hung curd involves straining the water ( whey ) from curd. The making of hung curd does not involve any special equipment or tools, just a muslin cloth, homemade curd and a bowl is more than enough!

Hung curd is a versatile recipe that can be used for making sweet and savoury recipes like misti doi, shrikhand, sandwich, dips, salad dressing and kebab. It can also be used for marinating recipes like tandoor and tikka as it helps to tenderize the chicken, paneer or any meat. This hung curd also works well for cream cheese frosting and cheesecake recipes.

Hung curd is known for its smooth creamy texture and is also rich in protein. Since it is a thick curd, it will not make the recipes too watery or runny like regular curd. Whether for a quick dessert fix or making instant dip, hung curd is an easy ingredient that turns your recipes or dips into a lip smacking one.

Similar Recipes

Dahi Kebab

Mango Froyo

Egg Sandwich

WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS

One ingredient wonder : The recipe uses just only one ingredient that is curd. It doesn’t involve any cooking or special tools. This creamy, thick curd can be used for many recipes like tikka, tandoori, salad dressing and also for desserts like misti doi, shrikhand. It is also a perfect dip for evening snacks.

I love this hung curd because it is easy to make, healthy and also a versatile one. It is full of protein and low in fat. Kids will enjoy this hung curd with honey drizzle or serve it as a dip for their fruits as an evening snack.

There is a tradition or belief in many Indian households that having curd with sugar before an important journey or event in life will bring a positive vibe and good fortune. The combination of curd and sugar will cool the body and give an instant energy.

Ingredients

Homemade curd : I have used my homemade perfectly set creamy curd for making hung curd. Curd is one of the staple foods in many households and I have also already shared a post on my blog about how to make homemade curd with detailed tips and tricks.

Store bought curd : You can also use store bought curd. The key points to remember when choosing store bought curd is that it should be a good quality full fat curd and also it shouldn’t be too sour.

Tools Needed for Making Hung Curd

Muslin or cheese cloth : Use a good quality muslin cloth for straining the curd. It should be clean and dry. For a substitute, try with a kitchen paper towel.

Strainer : Use fine mesh strainer or use yogurt strainer box which are available in stores and online.

Bowl : Use a deep bowl to collect the water ( whey ).

Heavy object : To hold the shape, use heavy objects like lid, mortar pestle or a bowl of water. Place the weight on top of the cloth covered curd and set it in the refrigerator.

Hacks & Extra Tips

Don’t discard the whey : The water that is strained from the curd is high in protein and nutrition. So don’t discard it, instead use the water for cooking curries, rice, rasam and also for kneading dough.

Muslin cloth : The cloth quality really matters in making hung curd. If the cloth is too thick, then the water will not drain properly. Also muslin cloth or cheese cloth should be completely clean and dry before starting the process.

Placing weight : Place a heavy bowl, lid or a mortar pestle on top of the curd bundle to lock it tightly and keep it inside the refrigerator.

Instant dessert : Want to satisfy your sudden sweet craving, then this hung curd will come to the rescue. Mix the hung curd with sugar, cardamom and saffron for making instant shrikhand. It is a delicious and creamy dessert.

📖 Recipe Card

Expert Tips

• Avoid too sour curd or yogurt for making hung curd.
• For best taste and texture, always use homemade curd.
• You can use the whey (strained water ) to make rasam, for kneading dough and cooking rice.
• If you want a thick, smooth and creamy curd, then set it overnight in the refrigerator.
• Instead of muslin cloth, you can even use kitchen tissue paper for filtering.
• Make sure the bowl, cloth are clean and dry.

Storage & Serving

Store the hung curd in an airtight container and place it inside the refrigerator. It stays good for 3 to 5 days.

Hung curd can be used and served in multiple ways like for marination, dips, spreads and also for making desserts like misti doi, shrikhand, sandwich, dips, salad dressing and kebab.

FAQ

Q.What is the difference between hung curd and greek yogurt ?

Both hung curd and greek yogurt are thick and creamy yogurt where the water content is drained and removed completely. Hung curds are usually prepared at the comfort of home, where the greek yogurt is made for commercial purpose and is processed multiple times.

Q.Can the strained water ( whey ) can be reused ?

The strained water ( whey ) is so nutritious that you can use it for kneading dough, cooking rice, rasam or soup.

Q.Why is my hung curd so sour ?

This is mainly due to straining the curd at room temperature. Always refrigerate the curd and strain overnight.

Q.Can this hung curd be used as a substitute for cream cheese ?

Yes you can. Hung curd is a great healthy alternative to cream cheese that can be used for making frosting, dips and spreads.

Variations

Bhapa doi : Bhapa doi is a delicious bengali style curd pudding. The hung curd and flavouring agents like milk, condensed milk, cardamom powder are mixed together and steamed like pudding. Serve it chill and enjoy.

Dahi kebab : Dahi kebab also known as hung curd kebab is a delicious, tangy and spicy snack recipe. It tastes similar to cutlet. Serve this kebab with mint chutney, tamarind chutney or tomato ketchup.

Shrikhand : Shrikhand is a quick and easy dessert made with hung curd. Shrikhand tastes so delicious and creamy. It is a popular dessert in India, especially in Gujarat and Maharashtra. The hung curd is flavoured with various flavouring agents like saffron, cardamom, rose water or with mango.

If you have any questions not covered in this post and if you need help, leave me a comment or mail me @aarthi198689@gmail.com and I’ll help as soon as I can.

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