Bhapa Sandesh with Cranberry Sauce : Bengali sweet recipe :: Fusion dessert :: Yoghurt dessert recipe

Everything is going fusion these days. Talk about Music, Movies, Fashion or Food... Mmm, now thats talking :) We create many fusion recipes without knowing in our daily lives. Do you remember that Chapathi wrap you prepared for your kid, or that baked samosa you had with Tea last weekend. And hey, what about that Lentil Soup with Indian Spices you had after Thanks Giving party. Well, we do that all the time, dont we ?

This fusion recipe has been taken from Sukanya's Blog Saffron Streaks with whom I am being paired this week for Radhika's event Blog Hop. It was hard to choose the recipe from a range of all wonderful and amazing posts she has. I was actually confused between her Mughlayi Paneer and Begun Basanti, but then this dessert ruled them all. So wonderfully penned details and bful pics, I was stuck on the page and immediately wanted to try this. So, here I am with a little altered recipe since I did not have Strawberries handy that day. Worked out with Cranberries  equally good and tangy in taste. You can try either one of them, even a mix of berries for a refreshing and authentic Fusion :)

Here is a request, please use Full fat milk in this recipe. I used skimmed milk and the result was not that soft, so unlike its fatty kin. Please show some courage and use sugar also generously, although this recipe doesnt call for more. But just a suggestion to make you love this amazing dessert even more :)

Ingredients:

2 ltr Full Fat Milk 

1/2 cup Curd, to curdle 

1/2 cup Sugar 

Handful f berries , chopped

1 tsp of Rose or Kevda Essence.  

For Cranberry sauce

1 cup fresh or frozen Cranberries 

1/2 cup Apple juice 

1/4 cup Orange juice 

1/2 cup Sugar 

Method:

First boil the milk and when it comes to a boiling point, immediately turn  the flame to low and gradually start adding curd to let the milk curdle. Keep stirring frequently in between. Curdling with Curd takes a little more time than other souring agents such as Lemon juice or Citric acid but works best in this case. If it doesnt work, you can use any other souring agent as you like. Drain the paneer and store the whey water for later uses. 

Squeeze the Paneer a bit, not taking out the entire juice out of it and start kneading gently with your palms. Within 3-4 min it will start getting smooth and pliable, knead it for 2 more min.

Mix sugar, essence and chopped berries gently with the paneer. Sugar should be incorporated well.
Transfer into a bowl and steam for 8-10 min. I steamed in a microwave for 10 min and it worked well for me.
Meanwhile, prepare cranberry sauce. Mix all the ingredients in a pan and cook on medium flame for 5 min. Stir and simmer for next 8-10 min till it gets all tender, mushy and juicy. Turn off and let it cool off at room temperature.
Let the Cranberry sauce and Bhapa Sandesh both are cool enough, spread the sauce on top and chill it in Fridge for like 1-2 hours.
Serve chilled :)