I have a very popular Bengali mishti recipe today. A sweet that’s not as famous as its counterpart Rasomalai but tastes equally good. This sweet is our household favourite for its melting in the mouth texture and mild sweetness. If you just let go of the thought of calories and fat, trust me it gives you an heavenly feeling. Put this in your mouth, close your eyes and forget everything else. Just enjoy how sweet life is.
Chomchom or chum chum in itself is a popular variety of mishti. Its almost like rasgulla but the shape and the sugar syrup consistency are different. malai chomchom is the softer version of chomchom, soaked in thickened milk and served with sweetend malai or fresh milk cream (dudhe’r sor). Here I made the version that we get in Kolkata’r mishti’r dokan (sweet shops). You can try out any version of it with chopped pista or saffron starnds. I sticked to the local favourite green cardamom flavour.
I used to make a lot of sweets when I was in bangalore. Made almost all kinds of Bengali mishtis like sandesh, chanar jilipi, chana pora, kamola bhog, chom chom etc. its another point that they never got their time of glory and made it to the blog. Mostly all were made for parties and the cooking always made me tired to take any picture.
There is no point making mishtis at home when you stay in Kolkata. Even I dint try making them ever since I shifted base last year. but by mistake the dudhwala (milkman) delievered 4 packets of full fat milk at our door last week. I dint want to make payes so thought of making mishti. I actually need a good reason to start making some dessert, there is something about making sweets and desserts at home which certainly gives me a high. So made malai chom chom after almost 2 years.
It’s a bit lengthy process but the end result is gorgeous. If you like Bengali mishti then you should give it a try or visit some Bengali sweet shop in your locality to understand what I meant by heavenly taste.
Malai chomchom
(makes 12-14 pieces)
Ingredients:
Full fat milk: 1.5 liters + 2 cups (please use full fat milk as it provides the soft cheesy texture)
Flour: 1 tsp
Lemon juice: ½ tsp
Sugar: 1 cup
Water: 3 cups
Milkmaid: 1/3 cup
Khoya: 1 tbsp + 1/2 tbsp (grated) or use milk powder
Green cardamom: 2 pieces
Method:
Boil 11/2 liter milk in a heavy bottom sauce pan. Once it comes to a rolling boil add the lemon juice. Stir and decrease the flame. Once you see the clear whey getting separated cover, switch off the gas and let it stand for 2-3 minutes.
Line a colander with cheese or muslin cloth. Pour the cheese in it. Wash this under running water to get rid of the lemony smell. Tie in a neat parcel and hang. Let the whey drain out for 30 minutes. Then place this on an inverted plate and press with another plate. Put some weight over it to drain the remaining whey. Keep it for 20 minutes.
Now take this and the flour in a big plate and start kneading it. Gently press and spread it on the plate with the heel of your palm. Do this for 4-5 minutes or till a smooth dough is formed. Make 12-14 balls out of it. Roll between your palm to make the outer surface smooth. Press and give it an oblong shape. Generally the two ends are little pointy. You can even make rounds and press them.
Boil the water and the sugar in a wide pressure cooker. Once they come to a rolling boil place the chomchoms very carefully. Attach the lid and cook on medium till two wshistles. Let the steam dissipate naturally. Open and carefully take them out one by one.
While the chomchom are cooking start heating the remaining 2 cups milk. While the milk is boiling a skin will start forming on the top. With a fork carefully take this out and place in a small bowl. Do this 8-10 times. It sounds like a lot of work but its not. Keep the heat on medium and Just don’t stir the milk too much, the skin will form automatically. Once the malai cools down beta it with a fork and half of the grated khoya. Keep aside.
Once you have collected enough malai add the milkmaid to it. And thicken it till its half of its original quantity. Mix in the powdered green cardamom.
Now heat 2 tbsp of the milk with the malai mixture. Cook for a couple of minutes till its spreadable. Keep aside.
Place the chomchom (still warm) on a wide and shallow bowl. Pour the thickened milk. Make sure every piece is coated with the milk. Let it cool down.
Spread each piece with the malai mixture and sprinkle little grated khoya on top. Serve cold.
A Homemaker’s notes:
This is a very delicate sweet. Do not try to store it for more than 2-3 days.
If making malai seems tedious just make a thick paste of powdered milk or khoya with milkmaid and apply.
You can also decorate it with chopped nuts, clotted cream and even pipe designs on top with thick mousse like almond and cream puree. Some shops do this here. Am yet to figure out the mousse recipe though.
Events:
Tags:
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