Channar Puli was my final pick for the alphabet C in the A to Z Bengali Sweets. I had a variety of dishes to select from, some I dropped as I wanted to use for another alphabet, some didn't interest me enough.
Channar was the obvious choice for this alphabet which refers to the Chhana. Some of the C sweets are Chennar Murali, Chhanar jilipi, Chitrakut, Cream Cham Cham, Chhanar Payesh & Coconut Sandesh
When I was discussing with Sayantani, , I mentioned about the Chanar Puli that seems to be popular over the net. Reading those recipes that seem to have been inspired by the Nestle site, I was really confused on the authenticity of the recipe and it also seems to be same as some other dish. I wanted to confirm if that's the same or not.
Sayantani confirmed that the Sweet Shop version sold in Kolkata as Chanar puli is not what is shown on the Nestle site. The sweet shop version is similar to Rasmalai but in the shape of puli and the milk is studded with nuts and dry fruits.
Channar Puli is not Gulab Jamun but different. So this information really excited me and I wanted to do this for C. There is another interesting thing with the shapes in the Bengali Sweets. Apart from the method how a sweet is made, their shapes are also important, because some dishes are similar except for their shape and method of cooking. Some of the common shapes are the gollos for the Rasgullas, the puli that is made for this channa puli. Oblong for cham cham etc.
Puli is the shape referring to oblong with both ends pointed. Sandesh can be molded or shaped in many ways.
Coming to the Channar Puli, since this is similar to Ras Malai, I followed the same recipe to form oblong and changing the shape to make it a puli. I referred to this and this site on making Ragullas and proceeded to make Channar Puli.
As I had mentioned already, I made 3 batches for each type of Bengali Sweets. In that, I took one batch which was approximately 1 cup or 250 ml milk. This yields about 5 numbers and best suited since I was making so many varieties.
How to Make Soft Homemade Chhana for Bengali Sweets
How to Knead Chhana for Soft Bengali Sweets
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 for Boiled Bengali Sweets
Step by Step Pictures for Kneading the fresh Chhana for Boiled Bengali Sweets
Step By Step Pictures for Making the Milk Syrup
Step By Step Pictures for Making Channar Puli
Channar Puli
Ingredients Needed:
For the Channar Puli
1 cup Milk / 250 ml (Full Cream Milk will be best)
2 tsp Lemon Juice (you may not use all of this)
For Sugar syrup
1/2 cup Sugar
1 1/2 cups Water
2 Cardamom
For Milk Syrup
2 cups Milk
1 cup Sugar (as per your taste)
1 / 4 cup Mixed Nuts
Few strands of Saffron
How to make channar Puli
Making the Chhana for Puli
Proceed to make the perfect chhana for making these soft boiled Bengali sweets. The paneer has to be soft and has enough moisture.
Once the chhana is ready and left to drain the excess whey, let it drip for about 30 mins or so.
Take the paneer on the kneading board/plate and proceed to knead till the granules are really small. Read more about how to knead the chhana really soft to get smooth and soft Bengali Sweets.
Kneading takes about 20 to 30 mins to get the chhana to the texture you need to make. When I made the Ras Malai or Cham cham, I never knew about this step and even used all purpose flour. In truth, these boiled Bengali sweets like the Rasgulla, Ras Malai needs just chhana that is really kneaded very well.
When you feed you have kneaded the chhana well, pinch out small balls and roll between your palms. If the balls are smooth and soft, leaving a fat sheen on your palm, it means it's done.
Now gather the chhana again and divide into equal balls. Shape them into an oblong size of about 2 inches in height, 1/2 inch width, then shape the ends as pointed to give this a puli shape. Set it aside covered.
Making the Sugar Solution for boiling the Channar Puli
The ratio of sugar to water is 1: 3 for these sweets. In a wide nonstick pan, melt the sugar and bring the water to a vigorous boil.
When the water starts rolling boil, gently drop in the channa puli and let it get boiled. The sugar syrup water is just sweet water and not a thick syrup.
When the puli is getting cooked, do not disturb or stir. Let it get cooked for about 10 mins. If you feel the syrup is getting thick, sprinkle some cold water on top. Switch off the flame, cover with a lid and let it sit to cool down.
Making the Milk Syrup
Bring the milk to a boil, reduce the flame to low and let it thick.
After about 10 mins, add the sugar and let it melt completely continue cooking the milk.
After about 20 mins, when you see the milk has thickened, add the chopped nuts and remove.
Assembling the Channar Puli
Remove the boiled channar puli from sugar syrup, gently drop into the milk syrup.
Garnish with more nuts and chill till serving.
Channar Puli | How to make Channar Puli
Ingredients
For the Channar Puli
- 1 cup Milk / 250 ml (Full Cream Milk will be best)
- 2 tsp Lemon Juice you may not use all of this
For Sugar syrup
- 1/2 cup Sugar
- 1 1/2 cups Water
- 2 Cardamom
For Milk Syrup
- 2 cups Milk
- 1 cup Sugar as per your taste
- 1 / 4 cup Mixed Nuts
- Few Strands Saffron
Instructions
Making the Chhana for Puli
- Proceed to make the perfect chhana for making these soft boiled Bengali sweets. The paneer has to be soft and has enough moisture.
- Once the chhana is ready and left to drain the excess whey, let it drip for about 30 mins or so.
Kneading the chhana
- Take the paneer on the kneading board/plate and proceed to knead till the granules are really small. Read more about how to knead the chhana really soft to get smooth and soft Bengali Sweets.
- Kneading takes about 20 to 30 mins to get the chhana to the texture you need to make. When I made the Ras Malai or Cham cham, I never knew about this step and even used all purpose flour. In truth, these boiled Bengali sweets like the Rasgulla, Ras Malai needs just chhana that is really kneaded very well.
- When you feed you have kneaded the chhana well, pinch out small balls and roll between your palms. If the balls are smooth and soft, leaving a fat sheen on your palm, it means it’s done.
- Now gather the chhana again and divide into equal balls. Shape them into oblong size of about 2 inches in height, 1/2 inch width, then shape the ends as pointed to give this a puli shape.
- Set it aside covered.
Making the Sugar Solution for boiling the Channar Puli
- The ratio of sugar to water is 1: 3 for these sweets. In a wide nonstick pan, melt the sugar and bring the water to a vigorous boil.
- When the water starts rolling boil, gently drop in the channa puli and let it get boiled. The sugar syrup water is just sweet water and not a thick syrup.
- When the puli is getting cooked, do not disturb or stir. Let it get cooked for about 10 mins. If you feel the syrup is getting thick, sprinkle some cold water on top. Switch off the flame, cover with a lid and let it sit to cool down.
Making the Milk Syrup
- Bring the milk to a boil, reduce the flame to low and let it thick.
- After about 10 mins, add the sugar and let it melt completely continue cooking the milk.
- After about 20 mins, when you see the milk has thickened, add the chopped nuts and remove.
Assembling the Channar Puli
- Remove the boiled channar puli from sugar syrup, gently drop into the milk syrup.
- Garnish with more nuts, saffron and chill till serving.
This is part of the A to Z Protein-Rich dishes, where I decided to showcase A to Z Bengali Sweets with Paneer/Chhana as the main source.
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Preeti says
Look alike rasmalai... bengali sweets are most of look alike. But main difference technique. .
vaishalisabnani says
To be truthful I read just half the recipe ! I will come back again to read it carefully , I am actually drooling over that bowl , and wondering if I have the patience to work on such a sweet . I am
Impressed by your take on the Bengali sweets .
Padmajha PJ says
You have done quite a lot of research on this subject!! Never knew about this sweet. Looks so good with those nuts
Sharmila - The Happie Friends Potpourri Corner says
Another mouthwatering bengali sweet from you 🙂 Indeed my weakness i just adore your effort valli.. Channar puli has come out really well just like how we see in lala sweets!!
Rajani says
I can imagine the choice of sweets for the letter C since chena starts with C! This one is absolutely mouth watering one Valli. Looks right out of Bengali sweet stalls
gayathriraani says
Kudos on your research Valli. I made the Nestle version which was so much like gulab jamun and only today I knew that it is not authentic. Milk sweets have a special place in my heart and this would take the Top 10. Yum..
Srividhya Gopalakrishnan says
drooling here valli. Love that shape. I agree with so many recipes out there, it becomes super confusing as which one is authentic.
themadscientistskitchen says
Now this is a doable n definitely delicious recipe. Love it Valli.
Sowmya:) says
Wow! You have done so much research on this and the results are delightful. The pictures have also turned out amazing. Kudos to you
Sapana says
Seriously for once i thought it looks like the store bought Bengali sweet. You have made it so perfectly.
Priya Suresh says
Slurp, slurp, my mouth is just watering here, how delicious and extremely irresistible Channar puli, feel like grabbing that bowl and relish rite now.
Mayuri Patel says
I'm learning a lot about different kinds of Bengali sweets. Channar Puli looks like ras Malai but as you mentioned the shape makes all the difference.
Nalini says
Kudos Valli,you have done so much of research. Channar puli turned out so delicious and makes me drool.The pictures are so beautiful.
sizzlingtastebuds says
This looks a lot like rasmalai but in a different avatar! I have a weakness for mildly sweet milk based desserts ! Good pick
Anlet Prince says
Channar Puli is completely new to me. They look so delicious
ruchi indu says
Channar puli has come out very well. Loved your step-by-step pictures. And the final product looks very colorful and inviting.
Soma says
Awesome detailed recipe have to try this soon ????????????
Aish Das-Padihari says
Any sweets made with home made cheese is my favorite. This recipe looks very similar to ras malai. I will try it some time.
Lathiya says
Its really surprising how almost similar recipes have different names... looks awesome..
firsttimercook says
Just love your step by step presentation, seems to as similar as rasmalai
Soniya says
This delicious recipe remi ds me of ras Malai!! Very well explained first timer cook!
jayashreetrao says
Nice one, same reminded me of Rasmalai, do need to try this one. Nice clicks.
Dhwani @cookingcarnival says
Channar Puli is completely new to me. They look so scrumptious????????????