How to make Sandesh with Ricotta Cheese
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Sandesh is a Bengali sweet i.e. it is the popular sweet from the state of West Bengal, India. It is made from Chenna/channa which is also known as cottage cheese. Cottage cheese is kneaded with sugar and its amount of kneading from smooth to grained leads to different types of sandesh. Also different types of delicate flavoring are added to chenna like rose, saffron, jiggery etc. Sandesh is molded into different types of shapes like conch shells, fish and elephants to make it more attractive. One of the most famous sandesh of West Bengal is Nolen Gur er Sondesh.
In this article we will know about how to make sandesh with ricotta cheese.
Ingredients:
Steps to follow:
The first step to make your Sandesh with Ricotta Cheese is to finely chop the Pistachios or Cashews. Peel the cardamoms and then ground the seeds into fine powder. Using fresh cardamom pods will enhance the aroma and flavor significantly.
Heat the milk till it is warm and then add the saffron strands to it. Then set it aside for 5 minutes. The saffron will infuse the milk with a rich golden color and a subtle, aromatic flavor that complements the sweetness of the sandesh.
Add the saffron milk to the ricotta cheese and mix well. Take a dry microwave-safe bowl and grease it with ghee. Add the ricotta cheese mixture to the greased bowl. Ensure the mixture is evenly spread to promote consistent cooking.
Put the bowl in the microwave. After every minute, stop the microwave and stir the cheese. Keep microwaving and stirring the cheese for 5 minutes. This process allows the cheese to gradually lose moisture, leading to the desired granular texture.
Take out the bowl from the microwave and add the cardamom powder and sugar to the bowl. Then microwave the mixture again for 3 minutes, stopping the microwave to stir after every minute. The mixture is microwaved so that the cheese loses its moisture and becomes granular. It is turned every minute so that each side of the mixture loses moisture evenly. This careful attention during microwaving ensures an even texture throughout the sandesh.
Take out the mixture from the microwave and let it cool. When it cools down, divide the mixture into 15 or more parts. Then pour some ghee into your palm and grease them. Now take a piece of the cheese mixture and roll it into a round shape to make a ball. Roll all the mixture parts into balls. This step is crucial as the sandesh balls should be smooth and firm, yet delicate to the touch.
Now take each ball and flatten them against your palm or any hard clean surface. If you want designs on your sandesh then flatten them against a designed stone mold as shown in figure. The use of molds not only enhances the visual appeal but also adds a traditional touch to the dessert.
Then put some chopped nuts in the center of the flattened sandesh and have them fresh or store them in the refrigerator to enjoy later. The nuts add a delightful crunch and contrast to the soft texture of the sandesh, making it a more enjoyable culinary experience.
If you want to read similar articles to How to make Sandesh with Ricotta Cheese, we recommend you visit our Recipes category.
Tips
- If the cheese mixture becomes too dry, then add a few drops of milk to it. This will help in retaining the desired consistency and ensure that the sandesh remains soft and moist.
