Microwave Orange Flavored Kalakand - Happy Durga Pujo!

Dugga Pujo time at last! Yay! We look forward to Durga Puja all year.. there is so much of preparation and anticipation.. and food... loads of food! We celebrated Durga Puja this weekend, but actual Pujo started from yesterday and we celebrated with food! On the menu was Porota, Chholar Daal, Begun Bhaaja & Orange flavored Kalakand made in the microwave.

 

Kolkata Food Bloggers has been celebrating as well -  with various drool-worthy recipes, some traditional and some not so traditional. This week is dedicated to Mishti (sweets). I thought I will try out this very easy Microwavable Kalakand made with ricotta cheese and condensed milk. I never made mishit with condensed milk thinking that I will not have control over the sugar/sweetness. However, this time, totally strapped for time, I wanted to take the easy route. And it turned out to be such a good idea! The slight tartness of the ricotta cheese balanced out the sweetness of condensed milk.
My friend PeeGee, who is also a blogger (at A Whiff of Spice) suggested that I try out this recipe!

 

Ingredients:  

• Ricotta Cheese - one tub (about 15oz/425gms)
• Condensed Milk - 1 15 oz can
• Orange Zest - 1/2 tsp ( you can use 1/4 tsp cardamom powder or few strands of saffron soaked in little warm milk instead)
• Chopped pistachios or almonds for garnish. I decided to grate some semi-sweet chocolate as well.

 

I did not follow any particular recipe for this, just worked on the rough recipe provided by PeeGee!

 

In a bowl, mix together the ricotta cheese, condensed milk and your choice of flavor (orange zest for me).

Grease a microwave safe square container with little ghee and transfer the mixture to it. Using the back of your spoon spread it out evenly.

Cook it for 5 minutes in the microwave on high power, give it a stir and cook for several more minutes but not more than 2-3 minutes at a time.  Cooking time will vary depending on the wattage of your microwave. Babysit it while it is cooking and make sure that the mixture doesn't get too hard.

Let it cool down before sticking it in the refrigerator for a 30-minute chill time.  Once it has cooled down completely, decorate with your choice of garnish, cut into your preferred shape with a sharp knife and enjoy with your family!

Happy Durga Puja, y'all!