Story behind Sondesh Recipe.The small town of Shillong, which is tucked away in the middle of nature, offers a poignant tale of a valued family tradition that has been passed down through the ages. A simple yet elegant tin box (container) with a tiger’s face that has been used for more than 50 years to produce delectable homemade confections like Kheerer Sondesh, Chanar Sondesh, and Narkoler Sondesh serves as a symbol of this tradition. Today, we take you on a culinary journey by sharing the recipe for Kheerer Sondesh, a beloved Bengali confection that combines both tradition and affection, as well as the background of this special box.
The Legacy of the Tiger-Emblazoned Sondesh Box:
A box that has acted as a silent eyewitness to our family’s decades of confectionary manufacture serves as the starting point of our story. This well-known tin box, which once belonged to my grandmother, is proof that certain older traditions are still practiced today. Its spherical and spacious form proved to be perfect for storing homemade treats for major occasions like Durga Puja or wedding ceremony. Even when my grandma passed away, the box continued to travel from Shillong to Guwahati, where my mother used it to keep her homemade Sondesh. Its enduring beauty and durability led to it becoming a crucial part of the sweet ritual in our household.
An Analysis of the Sondesh Making Tradition:
I can vividly remember my mother’s love for baking homemade goodies when I was a child. After boiling the milk to create dry milk solids, she would start by progressively lowering it. After 15 to 20 days, she would have collected enough milk solids to begin her sweet-making quest. For each design, different mold sizes and shapes were chosen with consideration. Each item, some of which were round and others square, was painstakingly crafted by hand and infused with the spirit of history.
Sondesh is a well-known Bengali dessert that is available in a wide range of delectable varieties. This delicious dessert is a beloved staple of Bengali cuisine and exhibits the region’s culinary expertise and ingenuity. We’ll look at the varied Sondesh universe and its several avatars in this blog article, each with their own flavour and texture.
Recipe for Sondesh Recipe/ Kheerer Sondesh – A Taste of Tradition:
Let’s get started with the Kheerer Sondesh dish, a delicious Bengali treat that combines the richness of milk with the sweetness of tradition.
Ingredients For Sondesh Recipe | Kheerer Sondesh:
- 1 liter of full-fat milk
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 cup Water
- Mold with different design
How To Make Sondesh Recipe | Kheerer Sondesh:
- Reducing the Milk: In a big pan, start by heating the full-fat milk to a boil. Stir it often until it has reduced to about half its original volume. To save time, you can finish this step a day beforehand and put the reduced milk in the fridge. Which we call it khoa kheer.
- Preparing the Base: In a separate pan pour some water and sugar and add the reduced milk. Until the milk thickens, stir continually over a low flame for 20 -25 minutes. Turn off the flame after it achieves the appropriate consistency.
- Molding the Sweets: Take sondesh molds and grease them with a bit of hot ghee. Once the reduced milk has cooled down, cut small balls from it and gently place them in the molds. Use ghee on your fingers to prevent sticking. Press the mixture firmly into the molds to create beautiful shapes.
- Let It Set: Allow the Kheerer Sondesh to set in the molds for a while. Once they have little hardened, gently remove them from the molds.
Serving Suggestion:
Now the Kheerer Sondesh is ready to serve. Enjoy the sweetness and pleasure with your love ones anytime.
Top Tips:
Kheerer Sondesh should be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container. They should be safe to eat for a 1-2 weeks.
FAQ For Sondesh Recipe/Kheerer Sondesh:
Q: What is sondesh?
A: Sondesh is a Bengali sweet recipe. In Bengali tradition this sondesh is served on any auspicious occasion.
Q: What is the difference between Chanar Sondesh and Kheerer Sondesh
A: Kheerer Sondesh is primarily made from milk. It involves reducing full-fat milk to a thick consistency before being used to prepare the sweet.
Indian cottage cheese, also known as paneer, or freshly cooked chana, is the main ingredient in chanar sondesh. Milk is curdled to make chana, and the whey is then separated.
Q: What does Kheerer Sondesh taste like?
A: Since Kheerer Sondesh is made by reducing milk and mixing it with sugar, Its flavor is rich and sweet, and it has a softer, creamier, and smoother texture.
Q: Which Indian state is the origin of Sondesh’s fame?
A: Sondesh is especially famous in Bengal, but this molded milk sondesh is primarily made by people in North East India.
Recipe card
Sondesh Recipe | Sondesh Bengali Sweet | Kheerer Sondesh
Course: DessertCuisine: Bengali6
servings10
minutes40
minutes300
kcalIngredients
1 liter of full-fat milk
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup Water
Mold with different design
Directions
Heat full-fat milk in a large pan until it boils. Stir often until it reduces to about half its original volume. To save time, you can do this step a day before and refrigerate the reduced milk.
In a separate pan, combine water and sugar, then add the reduced milk. Stir continuously over low flame for 20-25 minutes until the milk thickens.
Grease your sondesh molds with hot ghee to prevent sticking. Once the reduced milk cools down, cut small balls from it. Gently place these balls into the molds, using ghee on your fingers. Press the mixture firmly to create beautiful shapes.
Note For Sondesh Recipe | Sondesh Bengali Sweet | Kheerer Sondesh
- There are multiple varieties of Sandesh you can prepare at home. Instead of kheer or khoa, you can use chana, paneer or desiccated coconut.
- Always use fresh milk to make kheerer Sondesh.
- Always store Sondesh in an air tight container in the refrigerator.