Hyderabadi Double Ka Meeta

This rich bread pudding is one of the specialties of Hyderabad.  Traditionally the bread in this dish is deep fried in ghee / clarified butter.  But to reduce some calorie count, I toasted the bread slices in ghee.  

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Preparation time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 30 minutes

Serves: 5 to 6

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Ingredients:
White Bread Slices - 10
Sugar - 1 cup
Water - 1 1/4 cup
Milk - 4 cups
Evaporated milk - 1 can
Cardamom powder - 1 tsp
Saffron strands - few
Mixed nuts - 1/2 cup, pistachios, almonds and or cashews
Ghee / Clarified butter -

Method:

1. Slice the bread in half.  Keep it aside for some time for it to dry.
2. Meanwhile,  prepare the sugar syrup by combining sugar and water in a skillet.  Boil until sugar dissolves and thickens, about 6 to 7 minutes.  Add the cardamom and remove from the heat.
3. Combine the milk and evaporated milk and cook until its reduced to half.  Add the saffron strand and mix well.
4. Toast or shallow fry the bread slices in ghee until golden brown.
5. Place the toasted bread slices in the sugar syrup.  Press it gently to absorb the syrup.  Remove and place it a tray.
6. Pour the milk mixture all over the bread.  
7. Garnish with chopped nuts.
8. Serve warm.