Om Sri Ganeshaye Namah
Vakrtund Mahakaya Surya Koti Samaprabha |
Nirbhignam Kurumedaya Sarva Karyashu Sarvada |
This particular mantra or sloka is chanted before beginning any auspicious task. The Lord Ganpati as the remover of all impediments is invoked by reciting this mantra. The Lord of mighty body and possessing the curved trunk, who has the radiance of thousand suns, I pray to you to remove all hurdles from the task I intend to perform.
My first official post!
This is bhog for my little Ganesha. Praying for guidance, inspiration and lots of fun on this journey.
Kalakand
Made a traditional sweet using a non-traditional method. Sign of the times I suppose! So rushed all the time that making these sweets the traditional way has become a lost art. But, we don’t have to sacrifice taste for time.
Presenting here, the eternally favorite mithai, Kalakand.
Ricotta Cheese: 1 15 oz can
Condensed Milk: 1 14 oz can
Ground cardamom powder: 1/4 tsp
Nuts of choice for garnish: Almonds/Pistachios/Roasted Cashew/Walnuts…
In a microwave safe dish, mix the ricotta cheese and condensed milk well and microwave for 5 minutes.
Remove and mix well, taking care to get the edges.
Microwave for another 5 minutes.
Remove and mix well making sure you get the edges.
Repeat the above two steps of microwaving and mixing, for 3 minutes each till you get a nice golden brown crumbly texture.
When you see, butter oozing out of the sides, you can stop. Mix well.
Prepare a square/rectangle serving dish by lining it with wax paper and lightly greasing it. Make sure you leave enough overhang so you can remove Kalakand easily. Pour your mixture in it and press with spatula to set it and smoothen the top. Sprinkle with crushed nuts of your choice. I used finely chopped almond slivers. Press nuts slightly so they set in the Kalakand.
Cover with another sheet of wax paper and let it cool.
At this time, you can either, refrigerate it or leave it to set at room temperature.
Once set, remove the Kalakand by lifting it out by the wax paper overhang.
Cut slices or sqares or diamonds and enjoy!
I cut it in cubes and served them in little papercups.
Note: I quadrupled the recipe.
