Double Ka Meeta - Bread Pudding

Double ka meetha  is an authentic dessert of Hyderabad which is a type of pudding with bread and milk as the main ingredients. You wont be surprised to find Dum Biryani in the main course and  Double ka Meeta as dessert  in most of the weddings in Hyderabad . Double ka meetha basically refers to the sweet dessert  made with milk bread, called "Double Roti" .

Ingredients:

• 12 slices of bread 
•  Oil / Ghee / vanaspati for deep frying
• 1/2 tsp cardamom powder
•  3 cups of full fat milk
• Few strands of saffron
•  1/2 cup of sugar (adjust to taste) 
• 1/2 cup mixed nuts ( pistas, cashews, slices almonds)
• 2 tbsp raisins 
• 2-3 chopped dates

Procedure:

Cut the edges of the bread slices and allow them to rest on a tray overnight in a dry place. This allows the the bread to become moisture free. This process is optional and you can skip it if you are running out of time.

When you are ready to start, cut the bread slices diagonally . Heat the oil /ghee in a thick bottomed pan and fry the bread pieces until golden brown. Arrange the fried bread slices in a deep bowl / tray .

Once done with frying the bread, fry the nuts and raisins until golden brown. Add the dates to them and set aside for garnishing.

 Now lets start working on the milk and sugar syrup.
Heat milk in a heavy bottomed vessel and add the saffron strands. Let it simmer for about 12-15 mins and keep stirring.

Meanwhile take another vessel and add the sugar and water. Simmer it for 6-8 mins until it thickens. Add the cardamom powder and switch off.

 Pour this over the prepared bread slices evenly and top them with a layer of nuts, raisins and dates.

In the meantime, check the boiling milk. Once the milk has thicken as shown in the below photograph, switch off and pour it over the soaking bread slices and let it rest for some time until all the milk and sugar syrup is evenly absorbed.

As I didnt have a very large tray, I put the entire dessert  in 3 (bread+sugar syrup+nuts+milk)  layers and served them chilled.

Although its so simple and easy to prepare, double ka meetha is an immensely rich dessert for special occasions.

P.S - I used brown bread but white or milk break works best.