Every state in India is famous for a few recipes which was born in their land. One of the states, West Bengal, is known for its sweetness in language and their traditional sweets as well. Among others, chocolate sandesh is also a famous one. It is mostly prepared during the festivals and special occasion.
Like most Indian delicacies, the main ingredient of chocolate sandeshis milk. You can categorize it under truffles and fudge because they are sweet and soft to bite just like a truffle! It is especially prepared in West Bengal during auspicious festivals like Durga Puja and Diwali. Here’s a word of advice, if you are conscious about eating too much sugar, you can always find a healthy alternative like stevia and indulge your sweet tooth.
This Chocolate Sandesh Recipe stores well. You can store it in a storage container and eat later, and it will still taste as delicious as freshly prepared.
Health Benefits
- Chocolate is nutritious and is considered as one of the best sources of antioxidants. It can also improve brain function, blood flow, and lower blood pressure.
- Milk is a well-known supplement of vitamin D and calcium which is essential for bone strength.
Ingredients
gms cottage cheese/chenna/paneer: 350 g
tsp ghee: 1
tbsp sugar powdered: 5-6
tbsp cocoa powder (optional - drinking chocolate powder): 1
pistachios finely chopped: 7-8
How To Make Chocolate Sandesh Recipe
How to prepare cottage cheese
- In a large saucepan, pour the skimmed milk, and place over medium heat.
- Remove from the heat and add some vinegar.
- Stir at least two minutes. The curd will separate from the whey.
- Cover mixture and allow to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes.
- Pour the mixture into a strainer lined with a tea towel.
- Once again let sit and then drain for 5 minutes.
- Gather up the edges of the cloth and rinse under cold water for about 5 minutes or until the curd is completely cooled.
- Keep squeezing and moving the mixture.
- Once the mixture completely cools down and dries, transfer to a mixing bowl.
How to prepare chocolate sandesh
- Knead the prepared cottage cheese for atleast 10 minutes.
- Add powdered sugar, cocoa powder and knead for another 5 minutes.
- In a wide shallow pan, heat ghee and add the kneaded cottage cheese mixture.
- Cook on a low flame. You will notice that the mixture will let some moisture out.It will also get mushy and sticky.
- Keep stirring and let the mixture form like a dough.
- Do not let it get crumbly or too dry. Turn off the flame.
- While the mixture is warm, knead the cooked cottage cheese mixture gently for one minute.
- Prepare small balls of the mixture and gently flatten them.
- Garnish the spread with pistachios.
- Serve them chilled or at room temperature.
Trivia
A sweet dish by the name ‘sandesh’ is mentioned in medieval Bengali literature.
Richard Nixon, 37th U.S. president (1969-1974) usually had cottage cheese and a pineapple ring for lunch. He had the cottage cheese flown in from Knudsen's Dairy in Los Angeles.