Sandesh 1 - Paneer Cheese Sweet From Calcutta
Sandesh 1 - Baked
Sunita Gupta
Note from Mamta; This easy recipe from my sister in-law Sunita. It probably comes from her mother, late Mrs. Vinodini Rastogi. This is one of a multitude of sweets made from paneer cheese or chena in India.
Ingredients
1 litre milk
Juice of 1 lemon (bottled variety will do)
3/4 cup milk powder
3/4 cup granulated sugar
A handful of flaked almonds
5-6 green pistachio grated/chopped finely
5-6 green cardamoms, seeds removed and powdered
Instructions
Boil milk in a pan.
Add lemon juice, a little at a time, until milk curdles (solids and whey separate). This solid is paneer.
Drain paneer in a strainer for 5-7 minutes. Discard liquid.
While still hot, place paneer, powder milk, cardamom powder and sugar on a plate or a work surface and knead thoroughly. It should have a granular consistency.
Add almonds, saving a few for garnish, and mix well.
Spread evenly in a lined and greased baking tray by pressing with a flat spoon or your palms.
Sprinkle remaining nuts as garnish.
Bake in a medium hot oven, 350º F/175º C, until it looks lightly brown.
Cool.
Cut into small pieces.
Serve at room temperature.