Gil-e-Firdaus is an elaborate but memorable sweet dish, which is made commonly in Hyderabad during festivals and weddings.
Sago and coarsely-crushed rice are cooked in milk and perked up with a range of ingredients like bottle gourd, nuts, condensed milk and cashew paste to get a lusciously creamy dessert with a unique mouth-feel.
Saffron, cardamom and rose water give the Gil-e-Firdaus a rich flavour, which will linger on your palate for long after your cup is empty.
Do not grate the bottle gourd in advance as it will turn black; prepare it just before you are ready to cook the dish.
You can also try other Hyderabadi sweets like the Khubani ka Meetha .