Aam Sandesh | How to make Mango Sandesh

Aam Sandesh is my choice for A under my series of Protein Rich Dishes, featuring A to Z Bengali Sweets. I initially wanted to make Aamshotto, which is Mango leather Rollups, stuffed with Sandesh. Though I was tempted much, I decided starting the series with a simpler dish will be easy for me.

I was lucky that I decided on Aam Sandesh as we still had the fruit in season or rather the fag end of the season. I managed to freeze some Banganapalli and used it for this Sweet. When I was reading about the various options I had, I read that Bengalis are very fond of Aam Sandesh, making the best of the seasonal fruit.

Aam Sandesh was the first dish I made for this series. I was so glad because normally when cooking for Mega BMs, I end up cooking a dish that comes way last. Since I had the fruit frozen, I also wanted to ensure I made this soon. So this was prepared without being clubbed with rest.

When we talk about Sandesh, there are three types of Sandesh, namely Kancha Sondesh/ Kancha Golla, Norom Paak and Kora Paak. Kora Pak requires highly skilled knowledge and hence never tried at home. Even I haven’t come across any such recipe for Kora Pak online for my requirement. I have covered both the first types under this series.

I made Sandesh many years ago after much research on the topic. Still, I wanted to document my new found knowledge in this series of A to Z Bengali Sweets on how to prepare soft Chhana for getting soft and silky Bengali Sweets and the method involved in kneading the Chhana.

How to Knead Chhana for Soft Bengali Sweets
How to Make Soft Homemade Chhana for Bengali Sweets

A for Aam Sandesh

Step by step Pictures for making Chhana for Sandesh

Step by Step Pictures for kneading the chhena

Step by Step Pictures for making Aam Sandesh

Aam Sandesh | How to make Mango Sandesh

Ingredients Needed:

1 cup Paneer / Chhena / Cottage cheese
1 /4 cup Sugar powdered increase if required
1 cup Mango Pulp
Mango Chopped for garnishing
Mixed Nuts for garnishing

Make the Chhana and knead it to soft ball.
Then add half of the sugar and mix well.
Puree the mangoes and sieve to ensure there are no lumps.
Heat a nonstick pan, add the mango puree and cook till it is done. This takes about 5 to 7 mins on high.
Add little sugar and combine well, continue cooking.
Next, add the chhana and combine. Continue cooking for a while till everything is mixed.
Next, add the remaining sugar and let the mix get cooked for another 5 mins.
Do not let the mix overcook, you will end up having a crumbly Sandesh.
If you are going to shape the Sandesh, then press the Sandesh into the mould, let it set at room temperature or refrigerate for an hour or so
Garnish with finely chopped mangoes, nuts before serving

Aam Sandesh | How to make Mango Sandesh

Aam Sandesh combines the best of the season mangoes with soft Paneer / chhanna to result in a melt in the mouth sweet. Very easy and simple to make Bengali Sweet.

CourseSweets
CuisineBengali
By Cook MethodStovetop
OccasionDiwali
By DietProtein Rich
Dish TypePaneer Dishes

Servings6 pieces

Prep Time10 minutes

Cook Time5 to 7 minutes

Ingredients

1cup Paneer / Chhena / Cottage cheese
1 /4cup Sugarpowdered increase if required
1cup Mango Pulp
Mango Chopped for garnishing
Mixed Nutsfor garnishing

Instructions

Make the Chhana and knead it to soft ball.
Then add half of the sugar and mix well.
Puree the mangoes and sieve to ensure there are no lumps.
Heat a nonstick pan, add the mango puree and cook till it is done. This takes about 5 to 7 mins on high.
Add sugar and combine well, continue cooking.
Next, add the chhana and combine. Continue cooking for a while till everything is mixed.
Next, add the remaining sugar and let the mix get cooked for another 5 mins.
Do not let the mix overcook, you will end up having a crumbly Sandesh.
If you are going to shape the Sandesh, then press the Sandesh into the mould, let it set at room temperature or refrigerate for an hour or so
Garnish with finely chopped mangoes, nuts before serving