Utshob Sondesh or Utsav Sandesh is my choice for U in the A to Z Bengali Sweets Series. We are into our final week of this Mega BM and I can't believe it has been almost like a breeze for me after picking up this theme. The last 6 alphabets were the toughest as I was not able to find recipes for any letter, and for some, I couldn't even find a dish starting with that letter. So this week you will read about some innovative dishes I was able to come with.
Today's Utshob Sondesh was listed in the online catalog sold by Nakur. The image looks very plain and didn't carry any description of what goes into it. During my research, when I had joined a forum just to further my knowledge of Bengali Sweets, I asked the learned folks if they have something like the Upwas related dishes.
These make an apt Upwas Sweets!
For my A to Z Maharashtrian Sweets, I made some dishes like the Farali Chivda and Upwas Puran Poli, both of which are very popularly made during the Upwas season. On reading my comment, one gentleman replied that unlike such customs in other states, the bongs enjoy the festival season more exuberance, pomp, and show!
All festivals and occasions are Utshob for them! This prompted me to prefix my Sandesh with Utshob and just for curiosity's sake, searched, and came across that sweetshop listing. I was amazed at the thinking each region has!
So given the fact that this Sandesh has to be Utsav, I decided to make it colorful. And in order to make things easy for myself, I saved up some of the portions from other Sandesh to make this one. I was surprised that the final pictures turned out blue, instead of the green it is, but yes it is Pista and added with green colour! I have used Pista Sandesh, Gajar Sandesh, and another one that's coming up later to make this colourful Sandesh.
You can make the regular Sandesh, divide it into different portions, add flavours, and mix to serve. This was also prepared with the Tricolour combination in mind. In the Fruit layered Sandesh, I used Orange Sandesh, in this, it's Carrot Sandesh.
As with all Paneer Based Bengali Sweets, you need to make fresh soft Paneer/Chhana and then knead it well. The additional step you would be doing while making Sandesh will be finally kneading with half of the sugar quantity before cooking it.
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
C for Channar Puli
D for Danadar
E for Elixir Sandesh
F for Fruit Sandesh
G for Gajarer Sandesh
H for Hot Chocolate Sandesh Truffle
I for Ice Cream Sandesh
J for Jilapi
K for Khirkadam
L for Lyangcha
M for Malai Sandesh
N for Nikhuti Payesh
O for Orange Sandesh
P for Pantua
Q for Quick Rasmalai
R for Rasgulla
S for Sita Bhog
T for Tota Puli
Step by Step Pictures for making soft chhana for Bengali Sweets
Kneading to make Sandesh with Step by Step Pictures
Step by Step Pictures for making Carrot Layer
For making Saffron Layer
Step by Step Pictures for making Pista Layer
Utshob Sondesh | How to make Utsav Sandesh
Make the Chhana and knead it to softball. Knead with half the sugar required to make a soft mix.
Heat a nonstick pan, add the soft chhana and cook for 2 mins.
Then add another half of the sugar and mix well.
Proceed to make Pista Sandesh, Carrot Sandesh, and Saffron Sandesh.
Once done, pinch out small balls from each flavour, make a tight ball together.
Set it in a muffin mold, garnished with nuts.
Chill until serving.
Notes
Do not overcook the soft chhana, else you will end up with crumbly Sandesh.
If you are going to shape the Sandesh, then press the Sandesh into the mold when it is still hot, let it sit at room temperature, or refrigerate for an hour or so.
Chhana mixed with sugar needs to be cooked only for about 5 mins max, else you will end up having crumbly paneer on hand.
Press the hot Sandesh into the molds for it to get shape quickly, else you will have to heat it up again.
For best results, refrigerate for 10 to 20 mins before removing from molds.
Recipe
Utshob Sondesh | How to make Utsav Sandesh
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Pista Sandesh
- 1/2 cup Carrot Sandesh
- 1/2 cup Saffron Sandesh
- Mixed Nuts for garnishing
Instructions
- Make the Chhana and knead it to softball. Knead with half the sugar required to make a soft mix.
- Heat a nonstick pan, add the soft chhana and cook for 2 mins.
- Then add another half of the sugar and mix well.
- Proceed to make Pista Sandesh, Carrot Sandesh, and Saffron Sandesh.
- Once done, pinch out small balls from each flavour, make a tight ball together.
- Set it in a muffin mold, garnished with nuts.
- Chill until serving.
Notes
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.
[inlinkz_linkup id=725593 mode=1]
vaishalisabnani says
Mixing different flavours to make one variety of Utsav is a great idea , I can see one of the pics in green , but sometimes due to light the color changes , never mind it is still attractive .
Gayathri says
Nice word play on the name Valli. Love that different flavours in a single sandesh. Must have tasted awesome..
sizzlingtastebuds says
like i said earlier, u should think of opening a sweet shop soon- this looks festive
Sapana says
Utsob sandesh really looks fantastic. Love the idea of three sondesh together.
Rajani says
The first picture is so impressive Valli. Looks colorful and very attractive. Three flavors in one is a treat for taste buds.
Sharmila - The Happie Friends Potpourri Corner says
Loved this... Great for any celebrations.. You really made a utshob of bengali sweets in this space valli 🙂
themadscientistskitchen says
Wow if this is not for a festival then what is? Love it Valli I can see green in one pic.
Srividhya Gopalakrishnan says
This indeed looks very colorful and love the reason behind utshob. 🙂
Mayuri Patel says
Bengalis surely love to celebrate festivals with delicious food. So this colorful sandesh is just right for the Utshob. Very innovative Srivalli.
Sowmya:) says
I am drooling over these pics Valli. Looks so tempting. Love your innovative twist to the Sandesh.
Priya Suresh says
Wow different texture in sandesh, very catchy and colourful, this Utshob sandesh looks absolutely super delicious and very catchy.
Ruchi indu says
What an idea valli. Thus surely looks festive and colorful and rich