Rabri: Skimming the Best

Indian sweets can be deceptively simple. Rabri , for example, has two key ingredients, milk and sugar. But the milk has to be cooked down until thick and about three-fourths of the liquid has boiled away. Any skin that forms during this procedure is scraped into the rabri , which is served garnished with chopped nuts.

India Sweet House in Los Angeles makes its rabri with half-and-half instead of milk. The mixture is very thick and so rich that a small amount is enough for a serving. Chopped pistachios are spooned on top when it is packed for takeout.

Rabri, $6.50 a pound (about 1 pint) at India Sweet House, 5992 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles. (323) 934-5193.