### Kalakand Recipe – How to Prepare Kalakand at Home Using Khoya
Kalakand is a scrumptious Indian delicacy that occupies a cherished spot during festivities such as Diwali, Holi, and Navratri. This indulgent, tender, and flaky milk-based confection dissolves in your mouth, rendering it a beloved choice for sweethearts. The classic method of preparation incorporates chenna (curdled milk solids) and khoya (concentrated milk), sweetened with sugar and seasoned with cardamom.
#### Required Ingredients
– **For Chenna:**
– 1 liter of full-fat milk
– 2-3 tablespoons of lemon juice or vinegar
– **For Khoya:**
– 1 liter of full-fat milk
– **For Kalakand:**
– 1 cup of chenna
– 1 cup of khoya
– 1 cup of sugar (modify to taste)
– 1/2 teaspoon of cardamom powder
– Chopped nuts (pistachios or almonds) for decoration
#### Step-by-Step Directions
1. **Making Chenna:**
– Heat the milk in a sturdy-bottomed pan.
– When it reaches boiling point, slowly incorporate lemon juice or vinegar while stirring.
– The milk will curdle, and the whey will come apart.
– Strain the curds using a muslin cloth and rinse under cold water to eliminate the sour flavor. Squeeze out surplus water and set aside.
2. **Making Khoya:**
– In another thick-bottomed pan, warm the milk on low heat.
– Continuously stir until it diminishes to roughly one-fourth of its original volume, thickening into khoya. This process may take around 30-40 minutes. Let it cool.
3. **Preparing Kalakand:**
– In a non-stick pan, blend chenna, khoya, and sugar.
– Cook on a low flame, stirring without pause until the mix thickens and begins to pull away from the pan’s sides.
– Incorporate cardamom powder and mix thoroughly.
4. **Molding the Kalakand:**
– Grease a plate or tray with ghee.
– Transfer the mixture into the greased tray and smooth it out evenly with a spatula.
– Let it set for approximately 30 minutes.
5. **Slicing and Garnishing:**
– Once set, cut the kalakand into square or diamond shapes.
– Top with chopped nuts for garnish.
6. **Serving:**
– Serve kalakand at room temperature or chilled. It can be preserved in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
#### Tips for Ideal Kalakand
– Make sure the milk is fresh and whole for the best consistency and flavor.
– Keep stirring continuously while cooking the mixture to avoid burning.
– Modify the sugar based on your sweetness preference.
– For a quicker method, you can utilize store-bought paneer or ricotta cheese instead of making chenna.
Kalakand is not merely a delight for the palate but also a lovely addition to any festive table. Relish making this tasty dessert at home and distribute it among family and friends during celebrations!