Chhena Poda - The Sweet Delight of Indian Cuisine

Ingredients

• 500g (1.1 lb) fresh cottage cheese (chhena) 500g (1.1 lb) fresh cottage cheese (chhena)
• 1 cup (200g) sugar 1 cup (200g) sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder 1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder
• A pinch of saffron strands A pinch of saffron strands
• 2 tablespoons semolina (sooji) 2 tablespoons semolina (sooji)
• 2 tablespoons ghee (clarified butter) 2 tablespoons ghee (clarified butter)
• Chopped nuts for garnish (optional) Chopped nuts for garnish (optional)

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 250 kcal / 1046 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 12g, 7g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 30g, 25g
• Protein: 8g
• Fiber: 1g
• Salt: 0.2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and grease a round baking dish with ghee.
2. 2.
   In a large mixing bowl, crumble the fresh cottage cheese (chhena) until it becomes smooth and free of lumps.
3. 3.
   Add sugar, cardamom powder, saffron strands, semolina, and ghee to the crumbled cottage cheese. Mix well until all the ingredients are evenly incorporated.
4. 4.
   Transfer the mixture to the greased baking dish and spread it evenly.
5. 5.
   Garnish with chopped nuts if desired.
6. 6.
   Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes or until the top turns golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
7. 7.
   Once baked, remove from the oven and let it cool completely.
8. 8.
   Cut into slices and serve at room temperature. Enjoy the divine flavors of Chhena Poda!

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Cottage Cheese (Chhena) — Ensure that the cottage cheese is fresh and moist for the best texture in the final dish.
• Saffron Strands — Soak the saffron strands in a tablespoon of warm milk for a few minutes before adding them to the mixture. This will enhance the flavor and color.

Tips & Tricks

• For a richer flavor, you can add a teaspoon of rose water or a few drops of kewra essence to the mixture.
• To achieve a more pronounced caramelization, you can sprinkle a little extra sugar on top of the Chhena Poda before baking.
• Allow the Chhena Poda to cool completely before slicing to ensure clean and neat slices.
• Serve Chhena Poda as a standalone dessert or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delightful combination.
• Leftover Chhena Poda can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Serving advice

Serve Chhena Poda at room temperature to fully appreciate its flavors and textures. It can be enjoyed as a dessert after a meal or as a sweet treat during festive occasions.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, garnish the Chhena Poda with a sprinkle of powdered sugar and a few saffron strands. You can also place a small piece of silver leaf (varak) on top for an elegant touch.