Sandesh:

Sandesh is the heart of Bengali sweets. In Kolkata, there are numerous renowned sweet shops, that make various types of Sandesh. I love Nalengurer Sandesh( Sandesh made out of jaggery) and Karapak ( hard textured). Born and brought up in the heart of Kolkata there is no scarcity of Sandesh, here and there in every ally, there is a 'Mistir Dokan' (Sweetshop). I am living thousands of miles away from Kolkata and having fresh Sandesh is impossible here. If you get one they are not so fresh and do not taste as Bengali Sandesh. So I thought to give it a try and after 2 or 3 times, I succeeded in making Sandesh. The block I used to imprint the Sandesh has belonged to my grandmom so it is very special to me. I feel honoured to have her thing and able to use it rightly.  It is easy to make and hope you will like it. After all it Puja time.

Some other Sweet Recipes:
Baked Rosogolla
Mango Malai Cham Cham
Narkel Naru
Roshogolla


Course - Dessert( Bengali Sweets/Sandesh)
Dish - Bengali
Author - Usashi Mandal
Preparation time - 60 minutes
Cooking time - 40 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 litre of milk
• 2 tbsp lemon juice/vinegar
• 1/4 cup of powdered sugar
• Cardamom powder
• Crushed Pistachios
• Drop pf essence I used rose.

Instructions:

1. Boil the milk and make chenna/ Chana. Click the link to see how to make Chana/ Chenna.

2. Now after you drained the channa well, place it on a plate and bowl and start mashing it with your hands for 5 - 8 minutes. After 8 minutes it will be soft.

3. Add powdered sugar to mashed chana and mix it thoroughly.

4. Heat a nonstick pan or Kadai and place the chana mixture on it. The flame should be always low. Stir continuously for 5 minutes, the chana mixture will come together by now. Cooking more time will result in a dry mixture which is not preferable for making Sandesh.

5. Transfer it to a plate add cardamom powder and rose essence and let it cool. 

6. Then make small balls out of it. If you have a mold for making Sandesh then smear ghee on it and press the mixture to get the imprint. Otherwise, roll out the ball and just press it in the middle. Do the same to all.

7. Sprinkle crushed pistachios on top. Bang!! Sandesh is ready to go. Surprise your near and dear ones with your homemade classic this festive season.

Happy Puja