Ras Malai (Indian Fresh Cheese Dessert)
Courtesy of Chef Mohan Parmar, Shivnanda, Philadelphia, PA
Makes 6-8 servings
Ingredients
- 1 gallon whole milk
- 1/2 cup white vinegar
- 1 tsp. flour
- 8 cups water
- 2 cups sugar
- 6 pods of green cardamom
- 1/2 tsp. rose water
Directions
To make cheese dough, bring milk to boil in a large saucepan. Add vinegar. Pour curdled milk through a cloth strainer (to separate curds from the whey.) Sprinkle flour over cheese curds and fold in with spoon or to form dough. Form small balls of dough (approx. 1/2 ounce each.) Flatten the balls into patties.
Combine water, sugar and cardamom in large saucepan; bring to a boil. Add flattened dough balls to syrup and cover. Cook over low flame for 12-15 minutes. Remove from heat and refrigerate for 1 hour. Add rose water and serve cold. (This is a famous dessert of the Bengalese of Calcutta.)