I absolutely love making traditional Indian sweets at home. There’s something so satisfying about the process of creating delicious treats from scratch. One of my all-time favorites is Kalakand, a rich and creamy milk-based sweet. Traditionally, Kalakand is made by boiling milk for hours until it reduces to a thick consistency, and then combining it with sugar and flavorings. However, I recently discovered a quick and easy way to make Kalakand in the microwave, and I couldn’t wait to share the recipe with you.
Gather Your Ingredients
Before we dive into the recipe, let’s gather all the ingredients we’ll need to make this scrumptious sweet treat.
To make Kalakand in the microwave, you’ll need the following:
For the Kalakand:
– 2 cups of ricotta cheese
– 1 cup of condensed milk
– 1 cup of milk powder
– 1 tablespoon of ghee (clarified butter)
– 1/2 teaspoon of cardamom powder
– A handful of chopped nuts (such as almonds and pistachios) for garnish
– A microwave-safe dish for cooking
For the Sugar Syrup:
– 1/4 cup of water
– 1/2 cup of sugar
Now that we have all the ingredients ready, let’s move on to the next step.
Combine the Ingredients
Start by greasing a microwave-safe dish with ghee to prevent the Kalakand from sticking. Set it aside for now.
In a microwave-safe bowl, mix the ricotta cheese, condensed milk, milk powder, and ghee. Stir well until all the ingredients are well combined and there are no lumps.
Once the mixture is smooth and creamy, microwave it on high for 5 minutes. Remove the bowl from the microwave and give it a good stir.
Cook the Mixture
Place the bowl back in the microwave and cook for another 5 minutes. After each 5-minute interval, remove the bowl, stir the mixture, and return it to the microwave. Repeat this process three more times, for a total cooking time of 20 minutes. Remember to use oven mitts or a towel to handle the hot bowl.
Prepare the Sugar Syrup
While the Kalakand is cooking in the microwave, let’s prepare the sugar syrup.
In a small saucepan, combine the water and sugar. Heat the mixture over medium heat until the sugar dissolves completely, forming a syrup. This should take about 5 minutes. Once the syrup is ready, set it aside to cool.
Finishing Touches
By now, your Kalakand should be cooked to perfection. Remove it from the microwave and add the cardamom powder. Mix well to incorporate the flavors.
Now, pour the prepared sugar syrup over the top of the Kalakand. Spread it evenly to ensure all parts are soaked in the syrup.
Allow the Kalakand to cool completely at room temperature. Once cooled, transfer it to the refrigerator for at least 3-4 hours to set.
Serve and Enjoy!
After the Kalakand has set in the refrigerator, remove it and cut it into squares or diamond shapes. Garnish with chopped nuts such as almonds and pistachios.
Now, it’s time to indulge in this creamy and delicious Indian sweet. Kalakand made in the microwave is a quick and easy way to satisfy your sweet tooth without spending hours in the kitchen.
Whether it’s a festive occasion, a special celebration, or simply a craving for something sweet, this microwave Kalakand recipe will never disappoint. So go ahead, give it a try, and savor the flavors of this classic Indian dessert.