Kalakand (can be made in microwave too)

I love this bengali sweet. Everytime I go to a bengali sweet shop, rasgullas and kalakand are always ordered to be taken home. The fresh and spongy texture of chenna (home made cottage cheese) and the soft texture and sweet taste of khoa makes kalakand heavenly. Chenna is crumbly and moist form of paneer. Paneer is more firm and smooth.Khoa is condensed milk mixed with butter oil. Making this sweet the traditional way requires a lot of patience and time. I was craving for kalakand and wanted a way to make it quickly. I got inspired to make this dish after reading a post from Bhawana's Taste of India blog.

This is my first contribution to EC's WYF: Festive Treat Event and Sanghi's FIL-Milk Event

Ingredients:-

1 tin ricotta cheese (14ounces)

1/2 tin condensed milk (6 ounces)

2-3 Cardamom seeds crushed
2 tbl spns of ghee

Garnishing:-

4 almonds crushed finely

4 tblsp pistachios crushed finely (I didn't use I am not very found of them)

TIP:- 1/2 tin condensed milk was enough to give sweet taste. You may add sugar as per your taste.

Method:- (you may do this in a microwave too, but keep stirring every 5 minutes)

Heat ghee in a non-stick pan and add the ricotta cheese.
Keeping the flame on medium heat, stir the ricotta cheese till it becomes dry and all the water is evaporated. This takes around 30-40 mins.

Add the condensed milk and cardamom powder. Stir it continuously till the mixture gets thick and comes together. You may take it out of the heat when the color changes to a light brown (ideally). I like it cream in color, so I take it out before it gets brown.

Grease a plate and pour this mixture. Even and press the top most later with a spatula.
Garnish it and let it cool for half hour.
Cut it in cubes neatly and serve cold/warm.

I found this sticky note stuck on one of the pages of Sanjeev Kapoor's recipe book belonging to my aunt. I am sure she would have scribbled it down years back while she was watching Khana Khazana on Zee Tv. I got little nostalgic when I found the note while I was flipping through its pages. I remember how my mom and myself wouldn't miss a single episode of Khana Khazana; airing every Sunday at noon. I miss and fondly remember the time I spent with my parents before my marriage. Now all I can do is call/chat :(.