India has a very diverse cuisine. While some dishes stay restricted to a certain region or state, there are others which gets wildly popular and manage to win everyone’s heart. Kalakand is one such sweet preparation, which even though originated in North India, has somehow managed its way to every part of the country making it’s appearance in almost every festival. Prepared with sweetened, solidified milk(khoya) and Indian cottage cheese(paneer), these soft crumbly bite size squares happen to be one of the most popular Indian sweet treats.
The preparation of khoya calls for hard-core labor, long hours of standing by the stove, stirring gallons of milk with sugar until it gets thick and creamy. I have seen my mom doing it. It used to make the entire house smell wonderful and as much as worth the effort it is, I think it’s ok to just grab it readymade from the shop. It’s very easily available in an Indian sweet shop or any grocery store as well.
There are various versions of homemade kalakand. While some prefer to use sweetened, solidified milk(khoya), others like to use condensed milk. The whole preparation can be either done on a stovetop or in a microwave(which is the easier way out). I am not denying the fact that the traditional method still rocks. It gives the best texture and the perfect softness, but the easy method is not that bad as well!
So, we’ll start by making some fresh paneer. All you need is whole milk and something acidic, like lemon juice or vinegar, plus some free time in hand to stir the milk as it comes to a boil. You can however omit this step completely by taking the short route, like buying paneer from any Indian store or replacing paneer with ricotta cheese. I preferred to use fresh paneer.
And while you are in a mood to indulge, add some white chocolate in it too. Celebrate autumn! The combination of white chocolate with condensed milk gives it a very rich taste and the texture is softer than the usual kalakand.
As much as I love colors, it was fun to omit it for once and enjoy the shades of white. Thanks to Simon for the new photography and styling event that she started. I don’t think I would have otherwise pushed myself to take up the challenge and photograph all white! It was challenging and fun at the same time.
White Chocolate Kalakand
Ingredients
- half gallon milk
- juice of 1 lemon or 1/4 cup plain, white vinegar
- 2 cups of white chocolate chips or roughly chopped white chocolate
- 1 cup sweetened, condensed milk
- 1/4 cup finely chopped pistachio or any other nuts, optional
Instructions
- Pour the milk to a deep pan and bring it to boil while stirring it frequently.
- Once it’s almost at the boiling point, drop the lemon juice or vinegar. It will start to cuddle immediately.
- Turn off the heat and drop few ice cubes in the pan to bring down the temperature.
- Let it cool down for a while and then strain it through the cheesecloth.
- Tightly tie the sides of the cheesecloth together and hang it somewhere to drain the remaining water from the cheese. This should take about an hour.
- In the meantime, melt the chocolate in a microwave proof bowl.
- Pour the condensed milk in the bowl and give it a mix.
- Once the water is drained out from the cheesecloth, untie the cheesecloth and mash the cheese with the hand or a spoon.
- Add the cheese to the bowl and give it a mix.
- Now, put the bowl back in the microwave and let it cook for 3 minutes.
- Take it out and add the nuts(if you are want), give it a stir and let it cook for another 2 minutes.
- In the meantime, rub some butter or clarified butter(ghee) in a square or round pan.
- Pour the mixture from the bowl to the pan and spread it evenly.
- Cover it and let it rest it in the refrigerator for about an hour so that it gets firm.
- Cut it in squares and either serve immediately or store it in the refrigerator in an air-tight box.
Comments are closed.
Anamika
September 25, 2012 at 9:14 PMThis is called creativity Kankana, never had Kalakand with white chocolate, I am sure it’s going to be a hit at my place too :)! Thanks for sharing.
pavithra
September 25, 2012 at 9:25 PMYet to post Mine… this is wonderful variation with white chocolate…love love love it , everything is pure..love the white tone in all pictures…beautiful !!!
Yelena
September 25, 2012 at 9:31 PMLooks absolutely delishius, I adore Indian sweets, never made any myself. I will try it!!!!
Vimitha
September 25, 2012 at 10:19 PMThats a super duper innovation Kankana… and the clicks look awesome
Laura (Tutti Dolci)
September 25, 2012 at 10:32 PMBeautiful photos, I love your layers of white! That dripping chocolate…drool!
Rosa
September 25, 2012 at 10:33 PMA divine looking treat! I’d love to taste it.
Cheers,
Rosa
Nandita
September 25, 2012 at 10:45 PMKalakand with white chocolate!! That’s delectable. You have presented and captured this dish so well Kankana. An awesome post!!
Reem | Simply Reem
September 26, 2012 at 12:23 AMU know gal u r totally not allowed to eat this alone…
You have to send me some like now!!!
I am loving the beauty of white… Gorgeous!!
IshitaUnblogged
September 26, 2012 at 12:31 AMOh God – total fida on these ones Kankana…. pagla. They are gorgeous in white – and am dying to bite into them. Care to courier some?
Sharing everywhere:)
Sneh | Cook Republic
September 26, 2012 at 1:04 AMLovely!! Easy and gorgeous to look at too .. minus the ghee!
Kankana Saxena
September 26, 2012 at 6:46 PMyeah i know! I was just worried if the squares does come out 🙂 With indian sweets I always tend to add ghee and not butter 🙂
Simone
September 26, 2012 at 1:45 AMInteresting to add chocolate to paneer, which is essentially cheese right…? Never would have thought of it. It looks absolutely delicious and your photos are all droolworthy! Thanks so much Kankana for entering in the photo challenge this month. Love all of the photos, but that one with the chocolate drip is one of my favorites!
Kankana Saxena
September 26, 2012 at 6:47 PMThank you Simon. If not for your event , I doubt if I would have challenged myself to do this! 🙂
Arch
September 26, 2012 at 2:57 AMLove all the shades of white in your pictures, such a brilliant concept…and white chocolate kalakand sounds like a fantastic idea…really really beautiful pictures, so pleasing to the eyes..
indugetscooking
September 26, 2012 at 4:58 AMLove the addition of white chocolate to kalakand. And the all white photography is beautiful, kind of calming. My favourite pic is the large one of the white chocolate.
dassana
September 26, 2012 at 7:08 AMyou know kalakand is one sweet i love and now seeing your pics is making me sigh… my diet is vegan now and how on the earth i wished there was a vegan recipe for making kalakand.
i loved the second pic from top angle. white is my fav color along with black for taking food photos.
Tanja - TheCubanFood
September 26, 2012 at 7:42 AMHi – I’ve never tried kalakand but I love the photos so much I’m going to have a try. We don’t have white chocolate here in Havana but I can get milk chocolate. I presume I can substitute? Also can you use any other flavours besides chocolate? I’m thinking a fruit like mango puree or guava puree. What do you think?
Kankana Saxena
September 26, 2012 at 6:48 PMOh yes, I am sure any fruit puree would work too. Just that if the puree is too thin, it might not firm properly. A common fruit used in this sweet is fresh fig. 🙂 Hope this helps and thanks a lot for dropping by 🙂
Vijitha
September 26, 2012 at 8:29 AMYou are super creative girl. I can see all the “goodness and richness” in one dish. TOTAL YUM and you totally ROCK! As you said capturing white subject with white props and white background is tough. I once tried capturing a picture of vanilla icecream. Since I sucked, I changed the props and backdrop and added some strawberries and managed to get a decent one. We will talk more about it when we meet.
Charul @ Tadka Masal
September 26, 2012 at 9:38 AMYou know I have my fail proof recipe of Kalakand which I have posted on my blog. I am sooo gonna tweak that one to add white chocolate to that. It would be super yum addition, I am sure. Thanks for the idea!
PS: I am totally in love with that bowl with condensed milk dripping from it. That is an amazing picture. 🙂
mjskit
September 26, 2012 at 10:39 AMI can’t even begin to tell you how good this candy looks to me! I just want to grab a piece and start eating! This looks like the perfect holiday treat and gift. Put it in a red box and tie a white ribbon around it! Your white pictures are absolutely gorgeous. I’m sure it was a challenge, but you certainly won it!
thyme (Sarah)
September 26, 2012 at 1:57 PMI love hearing stories from India. I would love to travel there and experience life behind these wonderful foods. The all-white is beautiful…I would have a hard time too since I like dark moody photos. Yours a definitely beautiful!
Kankana Saxena
September 26, 2012 at 6:49 PMThanks Sarah 🙂 I love your dark mood photos and I too enjoy dark mood. This one was a challenge but it was fun too! You will like India .. it’s got a variety 🙂
Meeta
September 26, 2012 at 2:13 PMI was just going to say .. this needs to be submitted to Simone’s event. What a decadent and rich dessert. It is calling my name. I might try a version of this — it has got me inspired.
Kankana Saxena
September 26, 2012 at 6:50 PMThanks Meeta 🙂 If not for Simon’s event , I doubt if I would have challenged myself to do this ‘all white’ photo shoot! 🙂
KiranTarun
September 26, 2012 at 4:33 PMI need this kalakand in my life!! Send some 🙂
Debjani
September 26, 2012 at 5:51 PMGorgeous White! It’s a fantastic challenge.
Not much Indian sweets are available where I am so I have to make my own. White chocolate works wonders in place of condensed milk. I have used it before and love the flavour change it imparts.
Beautiful photos as always.
Shumaila
September 26, 2012 at 7:56 PMI love kalakand, and especially that is freshly made and so soft that it melts in your mouth. The white chocolate sounds interesting and the photographs look beautiful. You have really nailed the all-white photography!
Aldy
September 26, 2012 at 9:14 PMThis looks gorgeous, Kankana! So neat and beautiful, and I’m sure it tasted lovely too!
Hugs <3
Sanjeeta kk
September 27, 2012 at 5:32 AMStunning pictures, Kanakana! And love the idea of adding white chocolate to make kalakand..innovative, delicious and beautiful recipe.
Ira Rodrigues
September 27, 2012 at 6:45 AMNever herd of kalakand before. this is very interesting recipe! love the klicks as always
Tina (PinayInTexas)
September 27, 2012 at 7:43 AMLovely shots, Kankana! Haven’t tried nor heard of Kalakand before…but it sounds really good especially this version with white chocolate!
Deepika
September 28, 2012 at 6:29 AMDid the chocolate harden kalakand a bit? It’s generally very soft and gooey, and I wonder if the texture changes…a very innovative conept though. Love your pictures.
Kankana Saxena
September 28, 2012 at 7:54 AMThanks Deepika :)On the contrary it made it much softer and moist unlike the regular kalakand!
Aunt Clara
September 28, 2012 at 9:52 AMYou had me at “chocolate”.
Beautiful pictures. All-white can be challenging, but you mastered it.
[email protected]
September 28, 2012 at 11:31 AMKalakand…completely new to me. They look very beautiful. I love these ‘white’ clicks.
Charles
September 28, 2012 at 4:18 PMWow, what an interesting thing – I’ve never heard of it at all! I love Indian cuisine, but I’ve never really tried any sweets. I tried making rasgullah once but they turned out disastrously! This looks delicious Kankana!
Nami | Just One Cookbook
September 28, 2012 at 10:24 PMVery very romantic dessert. Kalakand is new to me, but it doesn’t make me feel like foreign to me after seeing your photos! My friend loves Indian sweets and she sometimes share with me. I’d love to try this one day!
wok with ray
September 29, 2012 at 8:04 AMThese chocolate treats looks very enjoyable to munch on tiny pieces at a time. Thank you for introducing this gorgeous sweets to us. Have a good weekend, Kankana!
Radhika @ Just Homem
September 29, 2012 at 12:45 PMBeautiful pictures of a delicious dessert Kana!
I love this monochromatic theme you’ve chosen, makes it dreamy..
Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen
September 29, 2012 at 2:24 PMLovely white on white styling the textures really stand out with the monochromatic color scheme.
Funwidfud
September 30, 2012 at 6:40 PMKalakand with white chocolate looks wonderful and is a great idea…Love your clicks…They look awesome…The food stands out beautifully with the monochromatic scheme…
Nash at plateful
October 1, 2012 at 2:08 PMAwesome! Don’t think I’ve ever tasted kalkand, but with such a simple ingredient list, I’m so tempted–yum!
foodwanderings
October 1, 2012 at 6:23 PMI bet the chocolate makes the kalakand even creamier. Nice twist to the dish Kankana & great white on white photography.
Kitchen Belleicious
October 1, 2012 at 6:58 PMnow this is neat. The pictures are amazing but hearing about this new sweet treat is something to get excited about. Its kinda like our version of fudge huh? I love it
Divya
October 2, 2012 at 6:41 AMLove how you’ve captured the dreaminess of white and white and the recipe is very creative! Great job!
deepa
October 2, 2012 at 7:00 AMNot dared to make kalakand at home till now..looks gorgeous…I agree it is really hard for me to take white food with white props and background…Loved your white spread here
Tadka Pasta
October 2, 2012 at 9:53 AMIrresistible! And its come out so well, Kankana! I’m going to try this for Diwali.
wokandspoon
October 2, 2012 at 1:54 PMThis looks divine. It looks a little like coconut candy! Also, I’ve never considered making paneer at home. Must try your recipe.
katerina
October 2, 2012 at 2:12 PMOOOOh mY! Stunning photos!!! Congrats 🙂
xxxFiC.
nipponnin
October 2, 2012 at 8:58 PMKalakand sounds so exotic! I really enjoy looking at your photos. So beautiful! How do you do it? You have to come over to my house and give me some lessons on how to take pictures or how to use camera. And do not forget to bring some kalakand with you.
Roxana's Home Baking
October 4, 2012 at 6:01 PMWonderful styling and stunning photos Kankana. You really should open your own photography studio (or do you have one already?) You’re so creative.
The dripping white chocolate made my heart skip a beat.
Wonderful, just wonderful
Dawn | KitchenTravel
October 5, 2012 at 10:28 AMLove the all-white photography! It really shows off the different textures of the kalakand and chocolate. Great to meet you at the SB Chocolate Adventures kick-off event. Are you planning to enter? Can’t wait to see what you come up with. 🙂
Jacqueline
October 10, 2012 at 4:37 AMGlorious photography in white Kankana with a beautiful Kalakand recipe. Perfect when you feel like spoiling yourself!
Poornima
October 14, 2012 at 6:01 PMLove the ‘white’ pictures and the kalakand is to die for! You’re super creative!