Sheer Payra

Prep time: 15 mins Cook time: 15 mins (plus 1 hr setting) Total time: 1 hr 30 mins Servings: 16 squares Country of origin: Afghanistan Description: Sheer Payra is a dense, fudge-like milk sweet flavored with rosewater, cardamom, and coated in nuts. Presentation: Cut into uniform squares or diamonds and arranged on a flat platter, garnished with sliced nuts. Ingredients: 2 cups full-fat milk powder 1 cup granulated sugar 1/2 cup water 1/4 cup melted butter 1 tsp ground cardamom 1 tbsp rosewater 1/2 cup chopped pistachios and walnuts Step-by-step directions: Combine sugar and water in a saucepan over medium heat and boil until a syrup forms. Stir melted butter, rosewater, and ground cardamom into syrup. Reduce heat to low, add milk powder all at once, and stir vigorously until smooth dough forms. Press mixture flat into a greased baking dish. Press chopped pistachios and walnuts firmly onto top surface while mixture is warm. Let cool completely for 1 hour, then cut into squares or diamond shapes with a sharp knife. Optional variations: Add a pinch of saffron to syrup for yellow color. Cooking tips: Stir milk powder quickly into syrup on low heat to prevent burning or lump formation. Nutrition facts:

• Calories: 130 kcal

• Fat: 6g

• Carbohydrates: 16g

• Protein: 3g