Chanar Payesh (Paneer Kheer / Pudding - Bengali Dessert)

 

          Chanar Payesh is a very popular Bengali sweet dish made of milk and crumbled paneer. Chana means paneer / cottage cheese and payesh refers to kheer / pudding. It is very easy and simple to prepare. So impress your loved ones with this delectable homemade dessert. 

          Sometimes, instead of crumbling the paneer, it is shaped into balls or squares before dropping them into the thickened milk. The consistency of this dessert can be adjusted to your preference. Just garnish with some chopped pistachio, dry rose petals and few strands of saffron and enjoy it chilled. It is pure divine.  

          

          This Bong style dessert is traditionally made with homemade chana or paneer, but I went in for a quick method and used some Amul paneer instead. It did turn out very yummy. This has remained purely a homemade sweet and is not much found in sweet shops.

          The quantity of the paneer may be increased if you wish. It is a great party recipe and can also be enjoyed as an after meal dessert, during festivals or any special occasions. 

• 3 cups full fat milk 
• 1 cup paneer, crumbled / grated
• sugar to taste 
• 1/4 tsp. cardamom powder
• 1 tsp. rose water
• 2 tbsp. chopped pistachios
• pinch of dry rose petals 
• few saffron strands

          In a thick bottomed saucepan, bring the milk to a boil and simmer, stirring at intervals, till it is reduced to half. 

          Add sugar, cardamom powder and chopped pistachios (reserving few for garnishing).  Simmer till the sugar is dissolved. 

          Then add the paneer and mix well. Simmer further till it comes to a boil. Switch off the flame and add the rose water.

          Allow it to cool down before refrigerating it till serving time. Garnish with the remaining chopped pistachios, dry rose petals and saffron. Enjoy !!!

Paneer Pudding

           How about some sweet indulgence? So let me share a yummy pudding made of paneer / cottage cheese. I have made use of store bought Amul Paneer but you can always go in for homemade ones. It is super easy and simple to make and is a perfect after-meal dessert. So go ahead and give it a try. You can also add some caramel for flavour and colour.

• 200 gms. Amul Paneer 
• 1/3 cup powdered sugar
• 1 & 1/2 cups evaporated / thickened milk
• 1 full egg 
• 3 egg yolks
• pinch of cardamom powder
• 1 tsp. rose / kewra powder
• pinch of salt
• 1 tsp. evaporated milk to drizzle (opt)
• tutty fruity / chopped nuts to garnish

          Blend the paneer, milk, rose water and cardamom powder. Beat the eggs and sugar separately and combine with the paneer mix.

          Pass it through a strainer and pour into a greased pudding bowl. Place in a pan filled with water and cover with a tight lid. Steam for 25-30 minutes on a low flame. 

          Let it come to room temperature before refrigerating it for 3-4 hours. Pass a knife around the edges and demould it on a serving plate. 

          Drizzle some evaporated milk and garnish as desired. Serve as an after meal dessert or enjoy whenever desired.

Stuffed Beetroot Paneer Poori

          Anything colorful is not only a visual treat, they are at the same time always welcome. So how about Beetroot Poori stuffed with paneer for a nutritious and an appetizing breakfast? They will be equally liked by one and all. I made these delicious pooris with whole wheat flour for a healthy version. It can be enjoyed with any side dish. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare it.

• 2 cups atta (whole wheat flour)
• salt to taste
• puree of one small beetroot
• 1 tbsp. oil to knead
• 1/2 cup paneer, mashed
• 2 green chilies, chopped
• pinch of salt
• 1/4 tsp. red chili powder
• 1/2 tsp. roasted cumin powder
• 2-3 tbsp. coriander leaves, chopped
• oil to deep fry
• any side dish to serve

          In a bowl, combine atta, salt, oil and beetroot puree. Knead into a dough by adding water if required. Cover and keep aside for an hour.

          In another bowl, mix together the mashed paneer, salt, chili's, coriander leaves, chili powder and cumin powder. Keep aside.

          Divide into equal portions. Roll out each portion into a small circle. Place 1-2 tsp. of the paneer stuffing in the centre and bring all the edges together to seal it firmly.

          Flatten it and roll out into a shape of a poori. Heat oil in a pan and deep fry them one at a time till they puff up. Transfer to a kitchen towel and serve them hot with any side dish.

                                Mix atta, salt, oil & beetroot puree. 

                    Knead into a dough by adding water if required. Cover & keep aside for
                    an hour.

                  Roll out each portion into a small circle. Place 1-2 tsp. of the paneer stuffing 
                  in the centre. 

                               Bring all the edges together to seal it firmly.

                                Flatten it & roll out into a shape of a poori. 

                                Heat oil & deep fry till they puff up.  

                                Serve them hot with any side dish.

Mango Sandesh - Bengali Dessert

        Sandesh is a very popular Bengali sweet. They are made of many yummy flavors. So here are some mango flavored Sandesh which are extremely easy and equally delicious. They are made out of Amul paneer and mango puree. So make and relish them during festivals, as an after meal dessert or whenever desired. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare it.
  

• 200 gms. Amul Paneer
• 2 mangoes, chopped
• 2 tbsp. sugar or to taste
• 1/4 tsp. cardamom powder
• 1 tsp. rose water
• pinch of saffron strands to garnish 
• 1 tsp. chopped pistachios to garnish 

             Blend the paneer and the rose water till smooth in a mixi jar. Keep aside. Blend the mangoes and sugar to a smooth puree.

          Add cardamom powder and mix everything together and transfer to a non-stick pan.

          Gently keep stirring on a low flame till the moisture dries up. Transfer to a plate and let it cool down slightly.

          Form into equal size balls. Make a dent in the center and garnish with chopped pistachios, cardamom powder and saffron. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

                                  Take 200 gms. Amul Paneer Cubes

                                  Blend paneer & rose water till smooth.

Take 2 Alphonso mangoes.

Blend mangoes & sugar......

.......to a smooth puree.

Mix pureed mangoes, paneer & cardamom powder.

       Transfer to a pan. Gently keep stirring on low flame till moisture dries up. 

Transfer to a plate & let it cool down slightly.

Form into equal size balls. Make a dent in the centre & garnish with 

                         chopped pistachios, cardamom powder & saffron. Serve chilled or at 
                         room temperature.

Steamed Strawberry Jam Sandesh

          Sandesh is a very popular Bengali sweet that is made out of homemade chenna or paneer. Here is a quick method - the steamed version made out of Amul Paneer. It cuts down a lot of your precious time. The flavour I gave is that of strawberry jam. So do try this amazingly yummy dessert by checking out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare it.

• 400 gms. Amul Paneer Cubes
• 6-7 tbsp. powdered sugar or to taste
• 3 tbsp. strawberry jam
• 1/2 tsp. ghee to grease
• few almonds and extra jam for garnishing

          Blend the paneer in a mixi jar till smooth. Add sugar and jam and mix well till there are no lumps. 

          Transfer to a greased steel container / tiffin box with a lid (you can cover with a aluminum foil too). 

          Steam for 12-15 minutes (5 minutes on high and the remaining on low flame).

          When cool, refrigerate. Cut them into slices and top them up with more jam and almonds. Serve chilled.

                                Mix together paneer, sugar & jam.

                                 Transfer to a greased plate.

                                 Steam for 12-15 minutes.

                                 Garnish with jam & almonds. Serve chilled.

Paan & Gulkand Sandesh (Bengali Sweet)

          Sandesh is a very popular Bengali sweet that is usually made out of chenna (cottage cheese). They are either baked, steamed or pan stir fried and then shaped into desired shapes. These days Sandesh are found in various flavours too. 

         Today I bring to you 'Paan & Gulkand Sandesh'. This is an instant version, prepared with Amul Paneer that can be made in a jiffy. I added paan paste and gulkand for a lingering aroma. So serve these amazing sweets garnished with chopped almonds as an after meal dessert.

• 200 gms. Amul Paneer
• 4-5 tbsp. brown sugar, powdered
• 1 tsp. paan paste
• 2 tbsp. gulkand
• 1/4 tsp. cardamom powder
• 1/4 tsp. fennel powder
• 1 tsp. rose water
• 1 tsp. chopped pistachios to garnish
• few moulds (opt)

          Blend together paneer, paan and gulkand in the mixi jar till smooth Add the sugar, cardamom powder and fennel powder.

          Combine everything well and knead so that there are no lumps. Form into equal sized balls.

          Place each ball on a greased mold. Press lightly and remove onto a plate. Make similar Sandesh and garnish with chopped pistachios. Serve them as it is or as an after meal dessert. 







Note :
In case of non-availability of molds, simply give them a round or flat shape as is usually made.