Here's a simple recipe to make Sandesh

 To make Sandesh, a sweet made from cottage cheese (also known as chhena), you'll need a few basic ingredients and some time for preparation. 

Ingredients

- 2 liters of milk (preferably full-fat)

- Juice of 2 lemons or 4 tablespoons of vinegar

- 1/2 cup of sugar (adjust according to taste)

- A few strands of saffron (optional)

- Cardamom powder (optional)

- Chopped nuts for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Chhena (Cottage Cheese)

    - Pour the milk into a heavy-bottomed pan and bring it to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.

    - Once the milk comes to a boil, reduce the heat to low and add the lemon juice or vinegar gradually while stirring continuously. The milk will begin to curdle, separating into curds (chhena) and whey (the liquid).

    - Once the curds have separated completely and the whey looks greenish-yellow, turn off the heat.

2.Strain the Curds

    - Place a muslin cloth or cheesecloth over a strainer or colander and pour the curdled milk through it. The whey will drain away, leaving the whey behind.

3.Rinse and Squeeze

    - Rinse the chhena under cold running water to remove any trace of lemon juice or vinegar.

    - Gather the ends of the cloth and twist it gently to squeeze out excess water from the chhena. Be careful not to squeeze too hard, as you want the chhena to remain moist.

4.Knead the Chhena

    - Transfer the chhena to a clean, flat surface and knead it with the heel of your palm until it becomes smooth and soft. This should take about 5-7 minutes.

5.Cooking the Sandesh

    - Heat a non-stick pan on medium heat and add the chhena along with sugar.

    - Cook the mixture, stirring continuously to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pan.

    - After 5-7 minutes, the mixture will thicken and start leaving the sides of the pan. At this point, add saffron strands and cardamom powder if using. Mix well.

6.Shaping the Message

    - Remove the pan from the heat and allow the mixture to cool slightly.

    - Grease your palms with a little ghee or oil, take small portions of the mixture, and shape them into small round balls or any desired shape. You can also use molds for shaping.

7.Garnish and Serve

    - Garnish the Sandesh with chopped nuts if desired.

    - Allow the Sandesh to cool completely before serving. You can refrigerate them for a few hours to enhance the flavor.

Enjoy your homemade Sandesh!

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