KESAR PENDA

Pendas take me back to my childhood days when I used to do Goiro or Jayaparvati fast where we were not to eat any spices, salt, veggies. We were allowed to eat roti or sooji only once. But we could eat as much as pendas, fruits, srikhand or any milk products as much as we wanted. My dad’s office was in Bhandup and there is a very famous sweet shop – Kantilal Damodar Mithaiwali. I used to love their fadela doodh na penda or Chenna penda. My dad would always get these when I was fasting. I wanted to try and make this at home and I must say I was so happy with the results. These pendas tasted just like the ones my dad used to get. I hope you guys enjoy these as much as I did. Please don’t forget to tag me  @spizerita when you make them. 🙂

Prep Time: 5 mins | Cook Time: 25 mins | Total Time: 30 mins | Serves: 18-20 Pendas

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Whole milk
• 1 cup shredded paneer
• 1 cup milk mawa powder
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 tbsp ghee
• ½ tsp cardamom powder
• 4-5strands of saffron or Kesar
• Sliced almond for garnish

Directions:

1. First, add saffron to the milk and warm up in the microwave for 45 seconds.
2. Now in a heavy bottom pan, add the milk, grated paneer, and the milk mawa powder. Mix everything well.
3. Now turn the stove on and cook the mixture on medium-low flame. Make sure to stir it frequently so it does not stick to the pan.
4. You will cook this till all the moisture is evaporated and the mixture has a soft dough-like texture.
5. Now add the ghee and mix for a minute. Turn the stove off.
6. Transfer the mixture to a bowl and let it cool down. 
7. Add in the cardamom powder and sugar once the mixture is at room temperature and mix the dough well. 
8. Now take about a tbsp of the dough and roll it in a round ball. Then take a slice of almond and stick it to the penda. Repeat for the rest of the mixture and your kesar pendas are ready. 

Notes:

• I used Amul’s malai paneer. You can use any brand or even homemade if you like. 
• I used homemade ghee. Store-bought is fine too. 🙂 
• For the milk mawa powder, I used Deep’s milk mawa powder.
• I used Regular Domino granulated sugar.
• You can store the pendas for up to a week. But be sure to keep them refrigerated.