Also Known as
Chakka Dahi

Description
Hung curd or Chakka is very easily made at home. Tie fresh curd in a muslin cloth tightly. Hang it till the water drains completely. Wait for 4 hrs at least for full draining. Remove and press the bundle like you do to make a cottage cheese with a weight in case you want still dry and WELL HUNG.In order to make low-fat hung curds, use low-fat milk which is readily available in the market and make curds using it. Follow the same procedure as above to make low-fat hung curds.

Culinary Uses
" Very Popular and mouth watering sweet dish "Shrikhand"- a Gujarati/Maharshtrian delicacy can be made by addition of powdered sugar
(About same weight in proportion to curd) with elaichi or kesar in it. Mix thoroughly with your hands. Do not use mixer grinder.
" Hung curd instead of cheese dips with blanched vegetables taste excellent.
" If you like using mayonnaise or white sauce as a salad dressing, you can easily substitute hung curds with little mustard powder, pepper and salt, whip it up to the right consistency and add it to the salad. Another do-it-yourself low calorie salad dressing with the choice of your vegetable or fruit. Lime juice or vinegar: Both are completely calorie-free, and will definitely help add a tangy zing to your salad.
" You can make a meal of your salad on days when you want to keep your diet light.
" The whey, that is the water drained out can be used to knead doughs or drank with addition of spices.

How to Store

It lasts long without souring, if kept in refrigerator. It stays for a week if refrigerated and 2 weeks if frozen.

Health Benefits

" It is equally a good source of calcium, vitamins and other minerals.
" Being low in fat, Lowers LDL (bad cholesterol) and raises HDL Cholesterol (good cholesterol). Also, reduces the Risk of High Blood Pressure.