Bovine Colostrum Pudding

I was introduced to this pudding by my mother in law,who loved to prepare this whenever our cow had a calf...To the uninitiated Colostrum is the first milk that is produced after a cow has had her calf...the calf has its first feed and the remaining is collected and distributed to family and friends...for those of you who think that this is gross, the understanding from my local milkman is that too much of colostrum is harmful for the calf...the benefits far outway the sorrow of this thought...
  

 Growing up in Chennai in the 60s and 70s was indeed God sent,every home had a cow lazing in a shed at the back of the house..now with homes shrinking in size and want of space and time,obtaining colostrum has become a rare commodity...however my friends tell me that they are available in tins in many countries all over the world....Today bovine colostrum is considered one of the healthiest foods in the world..please educate yourselves and give it to your children and family as much as you can...The process is the same as how my mother in law makes it,though however i have added a few ingredients and eliminated some in conformity to today's taste buds....

Ingredients:
1 litre colostrum milk (I ask for the 2nd days milk)
2 1/2 litres milk
250 gms sugar or to taste
1 tsp nutmeg powder
2 tsp dried ginger powder (sonth in hindi and chukku in tamil)
1/2 tsp cinnamon powder
6-8 green cardamom, seeds removed and crushed,can add some of the skin too
A few unsalted pistachios cut into slivers can also be added to add a bit of crunch
1 tin whole cream (optional )I omitted it in my second batch and did not notice any difference...

Method:
Boil the milk and set aside to cool thoroughly.....Once cool add in the colostrum and the rest of the ingredients and mix well.....This pudding is always steamed...Place a large vessel with water on stove,place another vessel which fits into the first one and fill 1/2 with the pudding mix...cover and steam for 10-15 minutes...switch off but allow it to remain in the steamer for a while....Alternatively you can pour into ramekins and steam them individually....

Some tips on the pudding....Do not overcook the pudding...at 10 mts open and check to see if its a little wobbly at the center and firm on the sides, that's your cue to switch it off and let it settle in its own steam....Do these in batches so that you can adjust the ingredients subsequently...Never add the Colostrum to hot milk as it will set and cook immediately... For some who don't want the sweet version can add salt and pepper and steam it..cut into pieces and use instead of panner in a gravy... I have watched my mother in law make this,but this is my first attempt,hope you like it...

Theres a lot of goodness in colostrum,hope you will share this recipe with others so that somewhere,someone can benefit and stay healthy and happy...Please share your food and serve with love and kindness....http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colostrum