### Kalakand Recipe – How to Create Kalakand at Home Using Khoya
Kalakand is a cherished Indian sweet, particularly favored during celebrations such as Diwali, Holi, and Navratri. This decadent, soft, and crumbly fudge made from milk melts in your mouth, making it an enjoyable delicacy for any event. The classic method includes chenna (coagulated milk solids) and khoya (condensed milk), sweetened with sugar and infused with cardamom.
#### Ingredients
– **For Chenna:**
– 1 liter of whole milk
– 2-3 tablespoons of lemon juice or vinegar
– **For Khoya:**
– 1 liter of whole milk
– **For Kalakand:**
– 1 cup of chenna
– 1 cup of khoya
– 3/4 cup of sugar (modify to preference)
– 1/2 teaspoon of cardamom powder
– Chopped nuts (pistachios or almonds) for decoration
#### Instructions
**Step 1: Make Chenna**
1. Heat the milk in a heavy-bottomed pot.
2. As it reaches a boil, gradually mix in the lemon juice or vinegar while stirring.
3. The milk will curdle, separating the whey. Turn off the heat.
4. Strain the curds with a muslin cloth or fine sieve. Rinse with cold water to eliminate the sour taste.
5. Squeeze out the excess water and set the chenna aside.
**Step 2: Make Khoya**
1. In a heavy-bottomed pot, warm the milk on low heat.
2. Continuously stir until the milk reduces to roughly one-fourth of its original volume. This process requires patience.
3. Once it thickens, take it off the heat and let it cool.
**Step 3: Prepare Kalakand**
1. In a non-stick pan, mix the prepared chenna and khoya together.
2. Introduce the sugar and cardamom powder, cooking on low heat while stirring constantly.
3. Continue cooking until the mixture thickens and starts to pull away from the pan sides.
4. Pour the mixture onto a greased plate or tray and spread it out evenly.
5. Allow it to rest for around 30 minutes. Once firm, cut into square or diamond shapes.
6. Decorate with chopped nuts.
#### Tips
– You can opt for store-bought chenna or khoya if you’re pressed for time.
– For a faster alternative, try using condensed milk with grated paneer or ricotta cheese.
Kalakand is more than a sweet; it’s a blend of flavors and textures that brings happiness during festive times. Enjoy crafting this delightful dessert at home and share it with family and friends!