Chhena Poda is a traditional dessert from the Indian state of Odisha. It’s a delicious baked cheesecake made from fresh cottage cheese (chhena), sugar, and cardamom. Here’s a detailed recipe for you:
Ingredients:
- 500 grams fresh paneer (cottage cheese or chhena)
- 1 cup sugar (adjust according to your sweetness preference)
- 2 tablespoons semolina (sooji/rava)
- 1/4 cup ghee (clarified butter)
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder
- A pinch of salt
- Chopped nuts (cashews, almonds, pistachios) for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
- Prepare the Chhena (Cottage Cheese):
- You can make fresh paneer at home by curdling milk with lemon juice or vinegar and draining the whey. Once the paneer is ready, knead it until it becomes smooth and creamy. Alternatively, you can also use store-bought paneer.
- Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease a baking pan with ghee and line it with parchment paper.
- Prepare the Batter:
- In a large mixing bowl, crumble the paneer/chhena. Add sugar, semolina, ghee, milk, cardamom powder, and a pinch of salt. Mix everything together until well combined. You should have a smooth batter-like consistency.
- Bake the Chhena Poda:
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it evenly.
- Garnish the top with chopped nuts if desired.
- Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for about 45-50 minutes, or until the top turns golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool and Serve:
- Once done, remove the pan from the oven and let the Chhena Poda cool down completely in the pan.
- Once cooled, carefully remove it from the pan, cut into slices, and serve.
Chhena Poda is best enjoyed when it’s slightly warm or at room temperature. It’s a delightful dessert with a rich, caramelized flavor from the sugar and ghee, combined with the subtle aroma of cardamom. Enjoy!
