Red Dragon Fruit Sandesh

 

               Sandesh is a very popular Bengali sweet that is made of homemade chenna (cottage cheese). However, I made these yummy Sandesh with store bought Paneer which turned out great. They are either baked, steamed or gently cooked in a non-stick pan till thick. This is the latter version. It is then formed into desired shapes. 

              

           These days Sandesh can be found in various flavors. So try out this vibrant and appealing Dragon Fruit Sandesh, where the paneer is combined with the fruit puree to make this delicious and appealing Sandesh. Molds can be used for shaping it or made into round or oblong balls. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare this regional dessert.

• 1 Red Dragon Fruit, pureed
• 1 tsp. ghee
• 200 gms. paneer, mashed
• 1/3 cup milk powder
• 1-2 tbsp. castor sugar
• 1/4 tsp. cardamom powder

          Blend the paneer in the mixer grinder or knead it well with your hands till smooth and soft. Transfer to a non-stick pan and add rest of the ingredients. 

          Mix everything well and keep stirring continuously on a low flame till the moisture dries up and it becomes thick. Transfer to a plate and let it cool down slightly. Then mash again.

          Take a small portion and form into equal size balls. Make a dent in the center and garnish with chopped pistachios and almonds. 

          You can give any shape of your choice. You can also use a mold here. Make similar Sandesh following the same method. Serve chilled or at room temperature. Enjoy as an after-meal dessert or as a festive dessert.

Blend the paneer or knead it well with your hands till smooth & soft. Transfer to a non-stick pan & add rest of the ingredients. 

Mix everything well & keep stirring continuously on a low flame till the moisture dries up & it becomes thick.

  Transfer to a plate & let it cool down slightly. Then mash again.

Take a small portion & form into equal size balls. Make a dent in the center and garnish with chopped pistachios and almonds. 

Serve chilled or at room temperature. Enjoy as an after-meal dessert or as a festive dessert.

Nolen Gurer Sandesh (Bengali Sweet)

 

          Nolen Gurer Sandesh is a very popular Bengali sweet that is made of homemade chenna (cottage cheese). However, I made these yummy sandesh with store bought Paneer which turned out great. They are either baked, steamed or gently cooked in a non-stick pan till thick. This is the latter version. It is then formed into desired shapes. 

          These days Sandesh can be found in various flavors. But this particular recipe is a traditional one where the chenna is combined with date palm jaggery to make this delicious and aromatic Sandesh. Molds can be used for shaping it or made into round or oblong balls.

          Nolen Gur (Date Palm Jaggery) is not easily found everywhere. It is a seasonal delicacy, available only in Kolkata and in West Bengal in particular. 

          We make it a point to procure it from any family friend / relative coming from Kolkata and treasure it to last for a long time. 

          A number of sweets like - Sandesh, Rasgulla, Kheer, Ice Cream, misti doi, etc. can be made from this jaggery. As a substitute you can try this recipe with any normal jaggery. So good luck!!!!

• 200 gms. Amul Paneer
• 1/2 cup nolen gur (Date Palm Jaggery), grated
• 1/4 tsp. cardamom powder
• pinch of saffron
• 1 tsp. ghee to grease the molds

           Blend the paneer in the mixer grinder or knead it well with your hands till smooth and soft. 

           Transfer to a non-stick pan and add the grated jaggery, saffron and cardamom powder. 

          Mix everything well and keep stirring continuously on a low flame till it becomes thick. Transfer to a plate and keep aside to cool down slightly. 

          Grease the molds with some ghee. Take a small portion of the paneer-jaggery mix and place on a mold by gently pressing it. 

          Slowly demold it and place them on a serving plate. (In this recipe, I used a maamoul mold as I did not have a traditional Sandesh mold). 

         Make similar Sandesh following the same method. Serve as an after-meal dessert or as an festive dessert.

Transfer the paneer to a non-stick pan & add grated jaggery, saffron & cardamom powder. 

Mix everything well & keep stirring continuously on a low flame till it becomes thick.

                      Transfer to a plate & keep aside to cool down slightly. 

Grease the molds with some ghee. Take a small portion of the paneer-jaggery mix & place on a mold by gently pressing it. In this recipe, I used a maamoul mold as I did not have a traditional Sandesh mold. 

                  Gently demold it & place them on a serving plate. 

              Serve as an after-meal dessert or as a festive sweet.

Paan Kalakand

 

          Kalakand is a traditional Indian sweet that is very popular during special occasions, parties and festivals. It is very easy to prepare right in the comfort of your own kitchen. Make them super easy and quick with store bought paneer. 

          So tried this yummy kalakand that is flavored with paan puree. It turned out just awesome. In this recipe, I used Amul paneer. So give this homemade sweet delicacy a try and garnish as desired. Surprise your loved ones with this new flavor and enjoy it chilled or at room temperature. Do check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare this festive sweet.

• 200 gms. paneer, crumbled 
• 2-3 tbsp. paan puree
• 1/2 cup evaporated milk 
• 1/4 cup sugar or to taste 
• 1/4 tsp. cardamom powder
• 1 tbsp. ghee
• pinch of green food colour
• 1 tbsp. chopped pistachios
• 1 tsp. mukhwas, 
• 1 tsp. chopped pistachios
• 1/2 tsp. dry rose petals 

           In a non-stick pan, add all the above mentioned ingredients (except the garnish). 

          Mix everything well and simmer on a low flame. 

          Keep stirring continuously till the ghee starts to leave the sides of the pan. 

          Switch off the flame and transfer the contents to a greased plate. 

          Garnish with mukhwas, chopped pistachios & dry rose.

         Allow it to cool and then refrigerate for some time till it is nicely set. 

         Cut as desired and enjoy them at room temperature or chilled. It is ideal for any festive occasion or as an after meal dessert. 

                    

                    In a non-stick pan, add all the mentioned ingredients (except the garnish). 

                    

                                  Mix everything well and simmer on a low flame. 

                       Transfer the contents to a greased plate. Garnish with mukhwas, chopped

                       pistachios & dry rose. Allow it to cool & then refrigerate till it is set. 

                               Cut as desired and enjoy them at room temperature or chilled. 

                                It is ideal for any festive occasion or as an after meal dessert. 

Chocolate Kalakand

 

             Kalakand is a traditional Indian sweet that is very popular in every special occasions, parties and festivals. It is very easy to prepare right in the comfort of your own kitchen. Make them super easy and fast with some store bought paneer. 

           So let me share my favourite kalakand in a new flavour. I made use of some leftover Lindt dark chocolate and some paneer to come up with this super easy and an equally yummy sweet. It turned out just amazing. Do give this homemade delicacy a try and surprise your loved ones with this new flavour. Garnish with chopped pistachios and enjoy it chilled or at room temperature. 

• 1 cup grated paneer 
• 2 tbsp. grated chocolate
• 1 tbsp. ghee
• 1/4 cup evaporated milk
• 2 tbsp. milk powder
• 3 tbsp. sugar or to taste 
• pinch of salt
• 1/4 tsp. cardamom powder
• 1 tsp. rose water
• 1 tsp. chopped pistachios

          In a non-stick pan, add all the above mentioned ingredients (except pistachios). 

          Mix everything well and simmer on a low flame. Keep stirring continuously till the moisture is all absorbed.

          Switch off the flame and transfer to a greased plate. Garnish with the chopped pistachios. Allow it to cool and refrigerate for some time to set. 

          Cut as desired and enjoy at room temperature or chilled. Great for any festive occasion or as an after meal dessert. 

Dates Kalakand

          Kalakand is a traditional Indian sweet that is very popular in every special occasions, parties and festivals. It is very easy to prepare right in the comfort of your own kitchen. Make them super easy and fast with some store bought paneer. 

           So let me share this yummy kalakand made out of some dates and it turned out just amazing. It is a healthy version with the goodness of dates and paneer, the two main ingredients in preparing this homemade delicacy. Garnish with chopped pistachios and dry rose petals and enjoy as and when desired. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare it. 

• 12-15 dates, soaked for an hour, pitted and pureed
• 100-150 gms. paneer, crumbled (I used Amul paneer)
• 1 tbsp. ghee
• 2-3 tbsp. milk powder
• 1/3 cup milk
• pinch of salt
• 1 tbsp. rose water 
• 1/4 tsp. cardamom powder
• 1 tbsp. tutti frutti (opt)
• 1 tbsp. chopped pistachios 
• 1 tsp. dry rose petals

          In a non-stick pan, add all the above mentioned ingredients (except tutti frutti, pistachios and dry rose petals). 

          Mix everything well and simmer on a low flame. Keep stirring continuously till the moisture is all absorbed. (Midway, add the tutti frutti, which is purely optional).

          Switch off the flame and transfer to a greased plate. Garnish with the chopped pistachios and dry rose petals. Allow it to cool and refrigerate for some time. 

          Cut as desired and enjoy at room temperature or chilled. Great for any festive occasion or as an after meal dessert. 





Note - 
I have added some tutti frutti, but you may omit it and make it completely sugar free.

                    In a non-stick pan, add all ingredients (except pistachios & dry rose petals). 

                               Mix everything well and simmer on a low flame. 

                                Keep stirring continuously...... 

                                 Add tutti frutti (which is purely optional).

                                Keep stirring......

                                Keep stirring...... till moisture is all absorbed. 

                  Switch off the flame & transfer to a greased plate. Garnish with chopped
                  pistachios & dry rose petals. Allow it to cool & refrigerate for some time. 

                               Cut as desired & enjoy at room temperature or chilled.