The Art of Making Kalakand: A Rich Indian Milk Dessert with Endless Potential for Fusion

Kalakand, the Indian sweetmeat is a masterpiece of texture and flavor. Prepared as a rich, creamy, and sweet dessert, the Kalakand is a great dish for all festivals and special occasions. It was invented in 1947 by the halwai (sweetmeat maker) Baba Thakur Das and his sons in Alwar, Rajasthan after Das emigrated from Pakistan following the Partition of India. It was originally created by using condensed milk, sugar, and cardamom.

Kalakand:

Ingredients:

• 2 l milk (preferably a full-fat variant)
• 201 gm sugar
• 50g butter
• 100g ricotta cheese
• 1 tsp cardamom
• 1 tsp rose water
• Pistachios or almonds

Method:

1. You have to start by boiling all of the full-fat milk in a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat. You are advised to not use low-fat milk because the original flavor and texture of the dish can only be achieved with the full-fat milk variant.
2. You need to let it simmer on low heat, for around 20 to 25 minutes, stirring regularly, until the milk sets and reduces to half of its original volume. This will require some patience, but it is important that you attend to the milk throughout this process so that it does not start to burn up at the bottom.
3. Then, you need to add and dissolve granulated sugar into the milk.
4. You need to continue to cook it for around 10 to 12 minutes more, stirring it often until it becomes thicker in consistency.
5. After that, you have to turn off the heat and let it cool.
6. Then, you need to add the unsalted butter and mix.
7. To this mixture, you have to combine some ricotta cheese.
8. Next, you can add cardamom powder and rose water, and mix everything well.
9. You have to pour the mixture into a greased square pan.
10. After that, you have to let it refrigerate for at least four hours or overnight.
11. The next morning, you can cut it into diamond-shaped pieces.
12. You must remember to garnish them with chopped pistachios or almonds and serve.

For this recipe, it is important that you use a non-stick saucepan to prevent the milk from sticking. Depending on how sweet you like your desserts, you may incorporate the amount of sugar into the preparation. The overall flavor profiles of the dessert will go up many notches if you dust it with a pinch of saffron for that royal flavor. If you want to experiment and are open to interesting flavors, then you can rub orange or lemon zest to give a tart undertone that cuts down the saccharine sweetness of the other ingredients.

To store the sweet treat, you need to transfer it into an airtight container in the refrigerator. The sweet can remain intact for up to three days. To do justice to its flavors, you must remember to serve it chilled, garnished with nuts and dried fruits. If you let it come with a warm beverage, tea, or coffee, it will set the mood for an evening gathering among your friends and family members.

To the apparent eye, this is a fairly simple and straightforward dish to cook. However, every culinary delight comes with its own set of guidelines, and so does this. It is important that while cooking, you do not forget to stir the milk frequently. This is because since it will be on a medium to high flame, there are chances that it could start burning. You are also advised to take care that you don't overcook the mixture, because that will ultimately make it dry. The deliciousness of Kalakand makes it difficult to wait for it to be cooled in the refrigerator, but it is important that you let it chill for at least four hours, or else the texture can become very soggy.

The next time you are confused in the age-old Rasgulla vs Rasmalai debate and don't know which one to choose, just go for the delectable Kalakand. This is one treat that will not disappoint you any time of the year.

In the age of fusion sweets, chocolate rasgullas, and many different kinds of new sweetmeats, Kalakand still holds a beloved place in the hearts of sweet lovers. The tradition that it is rooted in, combined with the symphony of flavors and textures, makes it an evergreen dessert, for all kinds of special occasions, or just for making your sweet tooth happy.