Cardamom and Saffron Sandesh

A silky, melt-in-the-mouth texture achieved through careful kneading of fresh curd. The warm cardamom aroma balances perfectly with the earthy sweetness of jaggery.

• Prep time: 20 min
• Cook time: 15 min
• Difficulty: Medium
• Calories: 322
• Protein: 11 g
• Carbs: 36 g
• Fat: 15 g

Ingredients

• 1 L Whole milk ( fresh )
• 2 tbsp Lime juice ( strained )
• 80 g jaggery ( grated )
• 1 tsp Cardamom powder ( fine )
• 1 pinch Saffron optional ( infused in a spoonful of milk )
• 10 piece Roasted salted pistachio optional ( whole for garnish )

Instructions

1. Preparing the curd

   Bring the whole milk to a boil. Gradually pour in the lime juice: the curd should clearly separate from the whey, which becomes translucent and yellowish.

2. Draining and washing

   Filter the curd through a fine cloth. Rinse with clear water to remove the lemon acidity. Squeeze firmly to extract all moisture: the cheese should be dry to the touch.

3. Manual kneading

   Work the dough with the palm of your hand on a smooth surface. Knead for 10 minutes until the grain disappears and the texture becomes velvet-smooth.

4. Cooking and flavoring

   In a pan over very low heat, mix the curd with jaggery, cardamom, and saffron. Cook while stirring constantly: the dough should pull away from the sides without browning.

5. Final shaping

   Let cool slightly. Form small balls or even discs. Decorate with a roasted pistachio in the center. The dough should no longer stick to your fingers.

Chef's tips

• Do not overcook the mixture, or it will become grainy and lose its melt-in-the-mouth quality.
• Kneading is the crucial step: use the base of your palm to crush the cheese grains.

Storage

Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 2-3 days.