Description

Chenna Kheer

Chenna Kheer, also known as Paneer Kheer, is a scrumptious Indian dessert made from chenna (fresh paneer/cottage cheese), milk, sugar, and flavored with cardamom, saffron, and nuts. It is popular during festivals and celebratory events, and can be enjoyed warm or cold.

Here’s a simple recipe for making Chenna Kheer:

Ingredients

• 6 cups Milk (preferably whole)
• 1/2 cup Sugar
• 1 cup Chenna (fresh paneer, crumbled)
• 1/4 teaspoon Cardamom Powder (Elaichi)
• A few strands of Saffron
• 1/4 cup Chopped nuts (like almonds, pistachios)
• 1 tablespoon Ghee (Clarified Butter)

Procedure

1. Make Chenna: If you don’t have chenna, start by making it. Boil milk in a pan, and curdle it using lemon juice or vinegar. Strain the mixture using a muslin cloth to obtain the chenna.
2. Shallow fry Chenna: In a pan, heat ghee and add the crumbled chenna. Shallow fry it over medium flame until it changes color (turns golden). Transfer to a plate and set aside.
3. Boil and reduce the remaining milk: In a large, heavy-bottomed pan, boil the milk on medium flame. Lower the flame and let it simmer until reduced to half its original volume.
4. Add sugar: Add sugar to the reduced milk and mix well, continuing to cook until the sugar is dissolved.
5. Add fried Chenna: Mix the fried chenna into the milk mixture and cook for about 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
6. Flavor the kheer: Add cardamom powder and saffron (dissolve saffron in a tablespoon of milk) to the mixture.
7. Add nuts: Stir in the chopped nuts and cook for a couple more minutes.
8. Cool and serve: Remove from heat and let the Chenna Kheer cool to room temperature. Refrigerate before serving or enjoy warm. Optionally, garnish with additional nuts or saffron strands before serving.

Chenna Kheer is a delightful Indian dessert that brings together the rich taste and smooth texture of milk, the flavorful chenna, and the aroma of spices and nuts.