9799692b348 Nivedhanam: Sandesh / Shondesh–West Bengal

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Sandesh / Shondesh–West Bengal

Today we are completing the 30 days Indian States Marathon. Last in the alphabetical order is West Bengal. A state which is very close to my heart. Although I have never spent a lot of time here, I was born in Calcutta (now known as Kolkatta) and I have also done my 11th Standard in there. I have also frequently visited during my holidays. A state cuisine which is very popular for its milk sweets and kachoris and street foods. Sandesh is a specialty from the state of Bengal. Sandesh is a delicacy, served as a dessert. It is made with milk and sugar as it main ingredient but it is not too sweet to give tooth ache. This recipe is not an easy one to make and needs lot of patience and stirring. Garnish with Pistachios as they look very beautiful and contrasting to the color of the sandesh. This recipe will make 20 to 24 sandesh.
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Ingredients
Milk – 8 cups
Lemon Juice - 1/3rd cup (diluted with water)
Sugar – ½ cup + 2 table spoons
Ground cardamom - 1/4 teaspoon
Pistachios - 2 tablespoon (sliced)
Saffron – A pinch
Milk – 1 table spoon
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Method
Boil milk in microwave until it boils
Transfer to a heavy bottomed pan and allow the milk to boil again
Once it boils well, add the lemon juice and slowly churn it
Paneer will start to separate and remove from heat once all the paneer has been removed and the water in the milk is clear.
Drain the paneer using a strainer line with cheesecloth, or muslin cloth.
Wash the paneer well with cold running water to stop the cooking immediately and also to remove the lemon taste..
Wrap the curds in a muslin cloth, rinse under cold water, and squeeze well.
Once the paneer is drained, place on a dry, clean surface and knead the paneer until the paneer is almost rolls into smooth soft dough.
Add the sugar and cardamom into the paneer and knead the paneer again until sugar is mixed well.
On low heat cook the paneer mixture stirring continuously until paneer starts coming together as soft dough. This should take about 6 to 7 minutes.
Turn off the heat and keep mixing the paneer like you are making dough.
This is most important step to this dish; you are just cooking paneer enough to take out the rawness. If you over cook the paneer it will become crumbly.
Mix the saffron thread in 1 teaspoon of warm milk and mix it well. Keep aside.
Divide the paneer in 24 equal parts and roll them giving a ball shape.
Garnish them with a drop of saffron paste putting sliced pistachio over.
Refrigerate them for few hours before serving. Serve them chilled!
Sandesh can be refrigerated for a week.
Sandesh - IMG_2787IMG_2802Sandesh - IMG_2789

Check out the Blogging Marathon page for the other Blogging Marathoners doing BM# 39

16 comments :

  1. I love Sandesh but they take a lot of effort to make. Your look very appetizing.

    I have really enjoyed reading all your recipes this month from the different states in India.

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  2. My Dad's family lives in Kolkata and I used to visit it every year during my childhood days. Sandesh used to be my favorite amongst all the Bengali delicacies . I shall try to make them at home using your recipe.

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  3. Sandesh and rasgullas are my weakness, wish i live near you to pick some sandesh from u Sowmya, now am so tempted u know.

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  4. Very well done Soumya, the colors have come out so beautiful, this mega marathon was great fun doing with you...had a great time

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  5. Lovely recipe. The green coloured ones are so nice. Perfect dish to end this sweet marathon.

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  6. Wow love that colourful ones Sowmya..so well done..

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  7. Awesome post, Sowmya. The sandesh is one of my fav.

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  8. wonderful sandesh...love the way you have done them..lovely colors!..and it sure has been a great experience running this marathon with you.

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  9. What a sweet way to end the series Sowmya.. Sandesh looks amazing.. Love the green colored ones.

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  10. such cute looking sandesh.. mouthwatering

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  11. Nice way to end the series with a sweet dish,Sandesh looks so perfect and drooling over the pictures...

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  12. Love sandesh and I like that green colored ones !! Wonderful way to end the series !!

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  13. Nice way to end the marathon.Love the colored Sandesh!.It was great running this marathon with you :)

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  14. omg fabulous looking sandesh , wow it looks super tempting sowmya , I wish i cud grab some from the screen .. such an yummy dessr to end the marathon .. Kudos on all the efforts you have taken :)

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  15. Sandesh looks very good. Love the green one a lot. It is very tempting

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  16. Sandesh looks delicious. Thanks for running it alongside me.

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Dear Friends,
Thank you for reading my blog post. Your comments and feedback is very valuable and I appreciate it very much. Please leave your valuable comments and feedback for this post. Thanks Sowmya

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