Blogging Marathon# 40: Week 3/ Day 3
Theme: Unused BM# 39 posts
Dish: Malai Sandesh
For the final day of this week's marathon, I made a simple, yet decadent dessert from West Bengal. When I jotting down dishes for Bengal, I was only thinking about sweets/ desserts since it was going to be the last day of the mega marathon and also Bengali dessert are to die for. I had about 4~5 desserts that I really wanted to try. After making Lobong Lathika and this Malai Sandesh, I still have couple more that I really really want to make some time soon.
Another reason for posting a sweet today is Cook's Hideout completed 8 years of blogging this month. After becoming a stay-at-home-mom, blogging and my blog buddies have become my real friends. Blogging gives me something to think about other than household chores and my virtual friends are always there to listen to anything. Big thanks to them for inspiring, motivating and encouraging me to keep blogging. Also thanks to my family for their complete support without which Cook's hideout would not even be possible.
Coming back to Malai Sandesh, I actually found this recipe online by chance. I had a large container of ricotta cheese that needed to be used up and at that time I still hadn't finalized the dish for Bengal, so a google search led me to this recipe. I was completely sold when I saw the pictures and made this dish right away.
Using store bought ricotta makes this dish a breeze to make. I know this is an instant version, but it definitely satisfies your sweet craving without much effort. It is also a great dessert to make ahead for a party.
Ingredients
For the Sandesh:
- 2 cups Ricotta cheese
- 1 14 oz . cans Condensed milk of
- 1 tsp Cardamom Ground
For the Malai:
- 2 cups Milk
- 1 14 oz milk Evaporated - . can
- ¼ cup Sugar - (adjust as per taste)
- a pinch Saffron
Instructions
- Make the Sandesh: Preheat oven to 325°F. Lightly grease a 9" baking pan. Combine all the ingredients for the sandesh, pour into the prepared pan. Bake for 40~50 minutes or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Remove from heat and let cool completely. Chill for at least 3~4 hours.
- Using a sharp knife, score the sandesh into pieces. This can be eaten as is, but adding this to malai takes this to the next level.
- Make the Malai: Combine milk and evaporated milk in a thick bottomed pan. Simmer until the mixture thickens and reduces to about half its volume. Add sugar and cook until dissolved. Add 2tbsp hot milk to saffron and stir this into the milk mixture. Let the mixture cool completely.
- To Assemble: Place sandesh in a serving bowl and pour malai over the top. Serve chilled.
Jayanthi Padmanabhan
what a way to mark the 8th blog anniversary.. fabulous dessert. looks beautiful. congrats Pavani! 8 years is definitely a great achievement. Keep the great work going.
Priya Suresh
Wow Pavani, 8 years of blogging thats really fabulous, keep rocking and wishing u many more years of blogging.Malai sandesh looks extremely delicious, wat a prefect treat to celebrate this excellent milestone.
Kalyani
The malai sandesh looks fab ! And lovely dish for the blogoversary pavani ! 8 years ! Wow ;-)) you rock gal ! Congrats !! I have a weakness for Bengali sweets , and see myself making this.. Except for evaporated milk I have everything else - can I substitute wit normal reduced milk ???
Sapana Behl
Such a wonderful treat ! Happy Blogversary to you ! Wsh you many more anniversaries ahead...
Sarita
Very yummy!
Usha Rao
Even I wanted to do a sweet for West Bengal but once I saw dim posto, finalized that dish for the state. Malai sandesh looks rich and delicious. This looks similar to the baked version of ras malai but even more rich. Will try this next time i have some guest over.
lakshmi
Hi this is so yummy recipe, i loved it.
prachi agarwal
delicious ..................
Varadas Kitchen
Congratulations on the milestone. This is such a quick and delicious dessert! Love the colors in the pictures.
Sreevalli E
Wow.. It's so temping.
Archana Potdar
Hi Pavani you rock. Wish you a many many more blog anniversaries! And the malai sandesh is awesome.
Srivalli
Wow Pavani..8 years sounds amazing..Happy Anniversary and wishes for many many more years to your lovely blog...Malai sandesh looks real die for!...the pictures have turned out so fantastic!
Suma Gandlur
Happy blog anniversary and hope such many many milestones for your blog. Your recipes and the way you capture them thru your lens are captivating.And that recipe is drool worthy. I need to remember to grab a ricotta cheese container next time I go grocery shopping.
Global Tastes & Travels Inc.
happy anniversary and what a creamy and decadent dessert to celebrate!!!
Global Tastes & Travels Inc.
happy anniversary and what a creamy and decadent dessert to celebrate!!!
Suja Ram
What a decadent sweet this is and your pics are so...lovely too. Make us drool. Wishing you a very Happy Blog Anniversary dear!
lavina agarwal
Wow yummy recipe. .m just drooling. .have bookmared it to make on hubby's bday! Thanks for sharing. .Your new follower 🙂