Kalakand - Microwave Version

Kalakand is a delicious outcome of Chenna & Khoya mixed with sweetened milk.. The traditional way of preparing this decadent sweet is very painful. And if you've all ready-made ingredients then you can save much of your time. But the true taste lies with homemade ingredients.

During my visit to Indian store at Fullerton, I found a pack of "Homemade Khoya" in frozen food zone.. And I quickly added this to my shopping cart.. Now, while I was driving back home, I was wondering what to prepare with khoya and suddenly "Kalakand" came to my thought and then everything follows it.. As soon as I reached home I got engaged with the target of "Mission Kalakand".

I remember, one day me n my mom, we were discussing about "Benefits of Microwave" and she was listing some of the recipes from her cookbook that were microwave-based. One of the recipes she mentioned was about "Kalakand". So my next step was "Call MOMA!!". Unfortunately she was out for shopping with my younger sis.. It was around 8:00pm here and in a rush I forgot its day-time in India.. I started scolding Moma for still shopping at 8:00pm and she was "Are you out of your mind? It's noon here and I still have many more hours to do shopping" And I was left Jaw-dropped.. Then I explained this nonsense was all because of my curiosity to know Kalakand recipe.. And she started laughing "Why are you so desperate to prepare Kalakand?" Now I've no reply for this question... Luckily, as Moma has already tried the microwave version so she gave me some rough idea about the procedure.. And to my surprise that was perfect.. What she called as "Rough Idea" actually came out to be the "Perfect One".. I think that's what we call "Experience leads to perfection".. If I was there instead of moma, then my rough idea will really sound "Rough"!!! ;)

As soon it was done, I called Moma and thanked her for the recipe and she said "Wow sweetie, so now you can prepare Sweets too!!".. Well I'm not sure whether that was a compliment or a comment.. But it feels great to me..

Yeah we had dinner late, I think it was past 11 but Sree was surprised when he saw this white-coloured delicacy as the dessert of our dinner..

Here is how I prepared Kalakand:

Ingredients:

2 cups - fresh paneer ( homemade paneer)
1/2 cup - khoya
1 can - condensed milk
1/4 cup - sugar
1/2 cup - chopped nuts (pista, almonds)
1-2 cardamoms, powdered
a pinch of saffron diluted in 1 tbsp milk

Method:

Take a large microwave-safe bowl and mix paneer, khoya, condensed milk and sugar. Keep stirring until thoroughly mixed the ingredients. Now place the bowl in microwave for 2 mins. My microwave has customized settings, so I kept it on "Dessert" settings. My mom has LG microwave and she make use of "Sweets" settings. After 2 mins, take out the bowl and stir the mixture again. Now microwave it for another 3 mins.. Take out and stir the mixture. Repeat this procedure until the mixture thickens, almost a dough-like consistency. It took me around 14-15 repetitions.

Evenly spread the mixture on a greased plate, allow to cool down to room temperature and then sprinkle chopped nuts, cardamom powder and spread saffron over the mixture. You may place silver foil to decorate it. Gently press them over the mixture.

Refrigerate it for 2-3 hrs or until firm. Cut into desired shapes. Well, I was so desperate that I took it out before it was chilled properly. Made 2 square pieces out of it and kept back to refrigerate. The pics shown are properly done kalakand and not the one I had for my dinner... :D But it tastes "Divine"..

Enjoy!!

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