Kiwifruit Sandesh

Sandesh being an inherent part of Bengali culture and festivity, became a 'messenger' of auspicious news creating an atmosphere of celebration and jubilation in Bengali households. Sandesh is a very popular Bengali sweet made with fresh homemade paneer or chenna. The traditional sandesh is made with plain chenna and some cardamom and pistachios are added to the base. But to give the traditional recipe a twist, I made a filling of kiwi fruit in it. The recipe is fairly easy to make and the end product is a delicious, melt-in-your-mouth Kiwifruit  Sandesh.

This recipe which I have made during Navaratri is quite close to my heart as this recipe has got the highest appreciation for  innovation and uniqueness in the Navaratri Recipe contest held by Filfora~ the eatolicious stop in association with  www.restokitch.com.

 

The beautiful and well thought out  gift by the  Filfora~ the eatolicious stop admins for this recipe is highly motivating. This traditional Indian Sweet called Sandesh made out of Chena or Paneer has been given a modern twist .

Packed with more vitamin C than an equivalent amount of orange, the bright green flesh of the kiwifruit speckled with tiny black seeds adds a dramatic tropical flair to any dish.

Health benefits of Kiwi fruit

• Kiwifruit is moderately good in calories, comparable to that of grapes. It has several health giving anti-oxidants, minerals, vitamins and fiber.
• It is good source of soluble dietary fiber.The fiber content helps to protect the colon mucousa by decreasing exposure time to toxins as well as binding to cancer-causing chemicals in the colon.
• The fruit is an excellent source of antioxidant vitamin-C; Consumption of foods rich in vitamin-C helps the body develop resistance against infectious agents and scavenge harmful free radicals.
• Kiwi fruit contains very good levels of vitamin-A, vitamin-E, vitamin-K and flavonoid anti-oxidants such as beta-carotene, lutein and xanthin. Vitamin K has a potential role in the bone mass buiding by promoting osteotrophic activity in the
• Kiwi-fruit seeds are an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids. Research studies show that consumption of foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease, stroke, and help prevent the development of ADHD, autism, and other developmental disorders in children.
• Fresh kiwi fruit is a very rich source of heart-healthy electrolyte "potassium." Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids that help regulate heart rate and blood pressure by countering malefic effects of sodium.
• It also contains good amounts of minerals like manganese, iron and magnesium. Manganese is used in the body as a co-factor for the powerful antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase. Magnesium is an important bone-strengthening mineral like calcium.

Kiwifruit Sandesh

• 2 ltr Milk
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• ½ cup powdered sugar
• Pinch of cardamom powder
• 2 ripe Kiwi fruit
• 12 to 15 muffins mould

Garnishing as desired

• Pistachios and Kiwi pulp

Let's learn how to make Kiwifruit Sandesh:

• ·     Peel the skin of the Kiwi fruit and grind it along with ¼ cup sugar. Transfer this mixture to a heavy bottomed nonstick pan and cook on slow flame. Once it starts to dry up, add chopped Pistachios and a tbsp of chena to it. So that everything binds well. Take from heat and let it cool.

• ·         Bring milk to a boil on medium heat. When it comes to a boil, reduce the flame and add the lemon juice gradually. Within 1 to 2 minutes you will start observing the whey separating from the milk.

• ·         Transfer to a cheese cloth and squeeze out gently to release the water. Hang it for maximum 30 minutes. Make sure to check that it does not become too dry.

• ·         Transfer this chena to your kitchen platform, Check that it should be moist or the Sandesh will be crumbly.

• ·         Knead with the back of your palm for 4 to 5 minutes or till it becomes soft.

• ·         Add sugar and cardamom powder. Knead again for 3 to 4 minutes and transfer the prepared mixture to a heavy bottomed non stick pan.

• ·         Cook it over low flame till it becomes a little dry but still have certain moistness to it. Turn off the heat and let it cool for some time.

• ·         When it is still hot, start kneading it till it becomes soft.

• ·         Divide mixture into 12 to 15 equal portions and make round balls out of it.

• ·         Take 6 to 7  balls and make a well in the middle and put the Kiwi filling in the middle and place some pistachios on it .

• ·         Put each one of them in the muffin cups and garnish with sliced pistachios.
• ·     For the rest and place the pistachios on top of it and slightly press with your thumb.

• ·         Chill it on Refrigerator for some time before serving.