Chena Poda - Bada Dada Style

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Inspired by my Bada Dada {Father's younger brother}, this Chena Poda (Literally means Burnt Chena/Paneer) recipe is a quick fix for the Odisha famous chena poda sold on pretty much every corner of Cuttack (I am sure its available in BBSR, Puri etc too}. In USA (Saat Samandar Paar - Seven Seas Away...), a tub of creamy ricotta cheese does the trick.





This recipe is a family favorite & this recipe is so easy that you can literally whip it up in a few minutes if you have all the ingredients in your pantry/refrigerator. This serves as a perfect fix for dessert blues during tough week days. 


Things that I used
  • A tub of ricotta cheese - 16Oz
  • 2 table spoons of Sooji/Fine Semolina
  • 2 - 3 tbsp Jaggery
  • 1/2 cup raisins
  • powder of 4-5 pods of green cardamon
  • 1 table spoon ghee


Process
  • Mix with hand - Ricotta + jaggery + cardamom powder + raisins + sooji. Please do not use electric mixer or stand mixer. Its much better with hands. :)
  • Spread ghee in a 6 inch round baking tray on all sides. 
  • Pour the cheese mix into the baking tray. Beat the tray on the kitchen counter to make sure that the cheese mixture is evenly distributed in the tray.
  • Bake on 400 F (My oven is the bigger one which comes with the cooking ranges in USA apartments) for 30 mins and then keep checking with a toothpick every 5 mins till the toothpick comes out clean. Mine takes between 35 to 40mins.
  • It's very important that we are vigilant, else Chena Poda will really "Burn" !!

Enjoy !!





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