How to Prepare Chhena Payesh

Chhena Payesh is a delightful Bengali dessert made with chhena (homemade cheese), milk, sugar, and flavored with cardamom. It is a rich and creamy dessert that is often prepared during festive occasions or special gatherings. Here’s a recipe to guide you in making Chhena Payesh:

Serves 4; preparation time: 25-30 minutes; 

Ingredients: For Chhena:

• 1 liter full-fat milk
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice or vinegar

For Payesh:

• 1 liter full-fat milk
• 1 cup sugar (adjust to taste)
• 1/2 cup chhena (crumbled)
• 1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder
• A pinch of saffron strands (optional)
• Chopped nuts (such as almonds, cashews, and pistachios) for garnishing (optional)

Preparing Chhena:

1. In a large pot, bring the milk to a boil over medium heat.
2. Once the milk starts boiling, reduce the heat to low and add lemon juice or vinegar gradually while stirring continuously.
3. Continue stirring until the milk curdles and the whey separates from the solids.
4. Once the milk has fully curdled, strain it through a muslin cloth or cheesecloth to separate the chhena (cheese) from the whey.
5. Rinse the chhena under cold water to remove any traces of lemon juice or vinegar and to cool it down.

Preparing Payesh:

1. In a thick-bottomed pan or a large saucepan, bring the milk to a boil over medium heat.
2. Reduce the heat to low and let the milk simmer, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until it reduces and thickens. This process may take around 30-40 minutes.
3. Add the sugar to the simmering milk and mix well until it dissolves completely.
4. Add the crumbled chhena to the milk and stir gently to combine.
5. Continue to simmer the payesh on low heat, stirring occasionally, for another 15-20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together and the chhena to cook through.
6. Stir in the cardamom powder and saffron strands (if using) and mix well.
7. Remove the pan from heat and let the Chhena Payesh cool down to room temperature.
8. Once cooled, refrigerate the payesh for a few hours to chill and allow the flavors to develop further.
9. Before serving, garnish with chopped nuts, if desired, for added texture and visual appeal.
10. Serve the Chhena Payesh chilled and enjoy the creamy and aromatic dessert.

Note: You can adjust the sweetness of the payesh according to your taste by adding more or less sugar. The chhena adds a rich and creamy texture to the payesh. Make sure the chhena is well-drained and crumbled before adding it to the milk.