CHHENA PODA (PANEER/CHEESE CAKE) (A FAMOUS SWEET DISH FROM ODISHA)

Ingredients :-

Home made Chhena (Paneer) - 2 cups

Suji (Semolina) - 2 tsp

Sugar - 1 cup

Cardamom Powder - 1 tsp

A Pinch of Soda Bi-carbonate 

Cashewnuts n Raisins (as your choice)

Ghee - 2 tsp

Sugar - 2 tsp for Caramel

Banana Leaf (Optinal) / Mould of any shape

A pinch of Kesar (Dissolved in warm Milk) (Optional)

Method :-

I have used home made Chhena (Paneer), anyone can also use half portion of chhena (home-made) and half portion paneer (available in market). Take Chhena and semolina in a bowl and mix them thoroughly by your palm. Confirm that there should be no lumps in dough. Add Sugar powder to it and mix again. Add a pinch of soda bi-carbonate, cardamon powder, fried cashew nuts and raisins and again mix it well. Keep aside for 20 minutes. Heat ghee in a pan. When it get to hot, add 2 tsp sugar to it and caramelize. Now put the paneer dough in the pan evenly and press it by your palm. Spread little caramelize sugar on upper side of the dough and cover it with a lid. Keep the fire low in flame and let it cook for max. 30 minutes. Check it in between frequently. To know whether it is already cooked or not, put a knife or toothpick in the paneer dough, if it comes out clearly, then your Chhena poda is cooked. Now, switch off the flame and keep it for 15 minutes to set. Carefully de-mould it to plate..Cut it as your choice and serve it...You can refrigerate it for a week in an air -tight container. Enjoy your home-made Chhena poda...:) :) :)

NOTE :- 1. You can also use banana leaf to make this. Grease little ghee over the leaf. Put the paneer dough in it and wrapped it and tightly knot by a thread. Then put 1 tsp ghee in the pan, put the leaf in the middle of the pan and cover it with a lid.     

2. With the same process, also can bake it in the OTG/Electric Oven.