Pineapple Sandesh - Microwable Recipe

It looks like this week here it’s all about sugary things. First it was Jibe-Goja, then Balushahi and now these scrumptious pineapple sandesh.Anyhow festive season brings many excuses for the cravings that we have for sweet things, to me it adds up to the festive spirit.

Made some Pineapple sandesh on Diwali day and shared with a friend who stood beside me when I was sick. M stood beside me like a rock; I can reckon and hold on. Bless her. Don’t know what I would have done without her. And come to think of it, we were complete strangers couple of months ago.

Couple of days ago it was “Bhai phonta” or “Bhai Duj”.This year and like many years, I am far away from home and from my brother also. This festival or rather custom I would like to say, means nostalgia in sepia tune, no jokes apart but this makes me miss home even more. I start recalling all the wonderful childhood memories that I have grown up experiencing and sharing with him and my sister, kind of sudden chain reaction- one leads to another. Anyhow we brother and sisters caught on where we left last time and chatted lot , a lot on that day after many months. I think it’s the feeling which counts and even if you are separated miles away from each-other, well wishes stays forever. Any relationship needs three basic things- understanding, trust and friendship. You would say even brother-and sister relationship. I would say, yes even this relationship needs these three basic things.

Anyways how I wish I can make these pineapple sandesh for him someday. For the time being I am sure if you try making it for your loved ones, you know you have a keeper recipe and a recipe you can always depend on when everything else seems impossible to make. This recipe is as simple as that.

Pineapple Sandesh-Microwable Recipe

Recipe requirements

( Makes-small 8-12 Sandesh - measurements are approx)

• 2 and half cups of paneer/chana
• ¾ cup of sugar (or as per taste)
• Few strands of kesar/saffron
• 2 pineapple rings from the ready-made pineapple cans

Method

• To make paneer- boil 1 litre of  milk or more to get at least 2 cups of paneer/chena/cottage cheese.Add in lemon juice from one lemon and let it curdle. Drain the whey and put the paneer in a cotton tea towel or if you have muslin cloth. You may use your old but clean chiffon duppatta/chiffon cloth pieces  also (recycle and reuse).Tie it and hang it on a kitchen tap. Let it hang in for 3-4 hrs.After 3-4 hrs squeeze out excess whey if any.
• Soak few strands of saffron in very little milk, just 2-3 tbs.
• Now untie the cloth, take out the paneer crumble.in a big mixing bowl,add in sugar and saffron with milk and start kneading it with your clean hands. This kneading helps in mixing of sugar with paneer evenly.Knead paneer for 5-8 mints.Or you may grind sugar to get powdery sugar in a food processor or grinder for quick mixing with paneer.
• Now put the kneaded paneer – we call this paneer “makha- sondesh” in Bengali in a microwave safe bowl.
• Put this mixture to microwave for 30 sec on full power .Take it out and then stir and mix well. Again put this mixture to microwave for another 30 secs.Take out and stir. Repeat this again for 1 mint breaking it in between 30 secs.
• Now squeeze the juice from the pineapple ring and mash it very well.Add this pineapple to the above mixture and mix well.
• Again put this to microwave for 30 secs and take out, stir and put the last cycle to 30 secs.The paneer crumble will be little dry at this time. When pressed with a spoon, it will be give a nice layered texture.
• (Many microwaves may take more time or may be even less time - Please refer your microwave manual for further assistance)
• Take out and divide into equal portions and then roll into small balls, press gently and put them over muffin cases. Note- muffin cases tends to absorb the extra moisture, and due course of time the Sandesh tends to dry even more.
• Decorate with pistachio  and pineapple pieces.

Those who like the flavor of pina colada or pineapple, you know you have got a keeper recipe.

Note-
This sandesh should be consumed within 2-3 days to retain the freshness. Once made put them in refrigerator. Paneer replacement can be ricotta cheese, not very authentic but if paneer is not available to you and you are leading a busy life-style, then ricotta cheese comes handy in making sandesh a Bengali sweet.

And some flowers to brighten your day ..have a lovely day Everybody....

What Sunshine is to Flowers, Smiles is to humanity.

These are but trifles,to be sure, but scattered along life's pathway,

The Good they do is inconceivable..

              -Joesph Addison ..

Happy Cooking