Tropical Steamed Sandesh (Bhapa Sondesh)
Tropical Steamed Sandesh (Bhapa Sondesh) — with fresh fruits and a silky coconut sauce, this dressed up steamed sandesh is the dessert of the summer! Requiring minimal ingredients to make and so refreshing, this is a modernized take on Indian mithai you have to try!
Ingredients
Sandesh:
- 2 cups homemade cottage cheese (chenna) , or grated paneer
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar or confectioners (icing) sugar
- 10-15 strands saffron
- oil , for greasing
Coconut Sauce:
- 1 1/2 cup coconut milk , unsweetened (one 13.5 oz can)
- 2 tbsp sugar
- pinch salt
Garnish:
- fresh fruits , I used orange, grapefruit, mango, pomegranate, tropical fruits
- pistachio , slivered
- mint leaves
- cardamom powder
Instructions
Sandesh:
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Make sure you squeeze out any excess water from your homemade chenna (cottage cheese).
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In a blender, add your fresh cottage cheese (or grated paneer), milk and powdered sugar. Blend until smooth and creamy, making sure not to over-mix. If it’s too thick, add some milk, one tablespoon at a time. The texture should be like pancake batter so it steams properly.
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Grease an 8” round tart pan (or circular mold on a greased dish) with oil and line it with parchment paper. Then, add in your sandesh batter, spreading it evenly and tapping it to remove air bubbles.
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Sprinkle your saffron strands on top and cover the bottom of the pan with aluminum foil to seal the tart pan. Steam the sandesh for 5 minutes on high heat and then for 15 minutes on medium to low heat. To test if the sandesh is done, insert a knife and if it comes out clean, the sandesh is ready.
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Chill the sandesh in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
Coconut Sauce:
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To make the coconut sauce, combine coconut milk, sugar, and salt in a pan and bring it to a boil. Let it cool down and then chill in the fridge.
Assemble:
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Carefully unmold your sandesh and cut it in your desired shape. Serve it with your coconut sauce and fresh fruits. Garnish it with pistachios, mint, and cardamom powder. Your Tropical Steamed Sandesh is ready to enjoy!