Bhapa Sandesh | How to make Steamed Sandesh

Bhapa Sandesh is a steamed Sandesh and my chosen dish for the alphabet B. Bhapa Sandesh is one of those traditional sweet and very easy to make. “Bhapa” is Bengali word for Steamed and this is normally cooked in a pressure cooker (in steam method). In this method, it might take about 30 mins from start to end.

However, I used Microwave and had this done in like about 2 mins. When you have the chhana all kneaded and ready, this hardly takes more than 2 mins to get steamed and done. I was inspired by this site, and the author talks both about pressure cooker method and mentions one can use a microwave as well. So naturally, I resorted to microwave and mine took only about 2 mins for 1 cup of kneaded chhana, which gave me 5 to 6, 2-inch pieces.

I read that one can use ‘Nolen Gur’ (Date Palm Jaggery ) or brown sugar in place of powdered sugar as well. Well, next time for sure.

In this A to Z Bengal Sweet series, Aam Sandesh was made separately and rest of the series were clubbed and cooked together. It also helped that I was using the Microwave for this as I was free to make few other.

For each batch, I used about 4 liters of Milk, got about 4 cups of chhana I had about 2 cups of sugar powered and ready.

The basic Sandesh will explain the process involved in making Norom Paak. Bhapa Sandesh is more of Kancha Sondesh/ Kancha Golla that is mixed with sugar and then steamed.

How to Make Soft Homemade Chhana for Bengali Sweets

How to Knead Chhana for Soft Bengali Sweets

Today’s Sweet is Steamed Version using Kancha Sondesh.

Bhapa Sandesh

In this A to Z Bengali Sweets for Protein Rich dishes:

A for Aam Sandesh
B for Bhapa Sandesh

Step by Step Pictures for making Soft Chhana

Step by Step Pictures for Kneading the chhana

Making Bhapa Sandesh

Bhapa Sandesh | How to make Steamed Sandesh

Ingredient Needed:

1 cup Paneer / Chhana / Cottage Cheese
1/ 2 cup Sugar (increase as per your taste)
A pinch of Cardamom Powder
Mixed Nuts for garnish
Few strands of Saffron mixed in 2 tbsp Milk

How to make Bhapa Sandesh

Follow this post to make soft Chhana for making Sandesh.
Take one cup of well kneaded Chhana and start adding sugar and mix well.
You will end up having a soft and sweetish smelling chhana.
Add cardamom and knead again.
Soak saffron in 2 tbsp milk.
If you are going to steam in a pressure cooker, you can grease with butter, pat this chhana over it and add milk along with saffron.
Cover the pan with an aluminum foil
Add 1 cup water to the pressure cooker, bring to a boil.
Then place the covered pan inside the pressure cooker and steam for 15 to 20 mins on medium heat.
I used microwave and cooking in the microwave is very quick.
Grease a microwave safe bowl, press down the chhana and sprinkle milk with saffron
Microwave for a minute. Wait and again microwave for another minute.
Steaming is done. Let it sit at room temperature for 5 mins, then refrigerate for 30 mins,
Cut into pieces and serve with sprinkled nuts over it.

Bhapa Sandesh | How to make Steamed Sandesh

Bhapa Sandesh is steamed Sondesh using just sugar and cardamom for spice. You can garnish with saffron and nuts for a rich taste. This sweet can be cooked in the pressure cooker or in Microwave where it gets done in 2 mins.

CourseSweets
CuisineBengali
By Cook MethodMicrowave, Steamed
OccasionDiwali, Festival Meal
By DietProtein Rich
Dish TypeInstant Dishes, Paneer Dishes, Under 5 Ingredients

Servings6 2 inch pieces

Prep Time10 minutes

Cook Time2 minutes

Ingredients

1cup Paneer/ Chhana / Cottage Cheese
1/ 2cup Sugar add as per taste
A pinch Cardamom powder
Mixed Nuts for garnish
Few Strands Saffron
2tbsp Milk

Instructions

Follow this post to make soft Chhana for making Sandesh.
Take one cup of well kneaded Chhana and start adding sugar and mix well.
You will end up having a soft and sweetish smelling chhana.
Add cardamom and knead again.
Soak saffron in 2 tbsp milk.
If you are going to steam in a pressure cooker, you can grease with butter, pat this chhana over it and add milk along with saffron.
Cover the pan with an aluminum foil. Add 1 cup water to the pressure cooker, bring to a boil. Then place the covered pan inside the pressure cooker and steam for 15 to 20 mins on medium heat.
I used microwave and cooking in the microwave is very quick.
Grease a microwave safe bowl, press down the chhana and sprinkle milk with saffron
Microwave for a minute. Wait and again microwave for another minute.
Steaming is done. Let it set at room temperature, refrigerate for 30 mins,
Cut into pieces and serve with sprinkled nuts over it.