Vino Sandesh is my choice for V in the A to Z Bengali Sweet Series. V was one of the tough letters to get. I did come across a Sweetshop version going by Victoria Sandesh, which seems to be popular. However, I couldn't find a recipe for it. The picture used for this sweet was colour, which meant I might be repeating myself.
After much search, I came across this online store selling something called the Vino Sandesh. Luckily, they had a description of what the Sandesh was made of and I only needed a mention. I came up with a recipe following their notes. It seems Vino Sandesh is a double treat with two types of Sandesh packed into one. The outer layer has the regular Sandesh stuffed with an inner layer of chocolate Sandesh. I wanted to make it even more special and hence had a dark chocolate ganache spread over the Chocolate Sandesh before sandwiching.
Needless to say, this was one of the super duper hit of the whole series, with everybody wanting a second serving. With the measurement I did, I got about 4 pieces of this sandwich and it wasn't enough at all. As you guess, this is one of those that will surely be repeated again.
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
U for Utshob Sondesh
Step by Step Pictures for making soft chhana for Bengali Sweets
Step by Step Pictures for kneading to make Sandesh
Step by Step Pictures for making Malai Sandesh
Step by Step Pictures for making Chocolate Sandesh
Vino Sandesh | How to make Chocolate Stuffed Malai Sandesh
Ingredients Needed
For the Dark Chocolate Ganache
1/2 cup Dark Chocolate Compound
1 tbsp Cream
1/2 tbsp Butter
For the Malai Sandesh
1 cup Paneer / Chhana / Cottage Cheese
1/2 cup Sugar powdered
For the Chocolate Sandesh
1/2 cup Paneer / chhana / Cottage Cheese
2 tbsp Cocoa Powder
1/4 cup Sugar powdered
1/4 cup Mixed Nuts finely chopped
For the Dark Chocolate Ganache
In a microwave-safe bowl, take the chopped dark chocolate compound, microwave for a minute.
Remove and whisk to melt the chocolate.
Add the cream and butter and microwave again for a minute. Keep it aside.
For the Malai Sandesh
Take the chhana after kneading and mix with sugar.
Heat a nonstick pan and cook this chhana for 4 to 5 mins. We are not supposed to cook for long as chhana can turn to crumble.
This should be just enough for us to mold it into shapes.
Remove, press a teaspoon of chhana into a square-shaped mold. Refrigerate for 30 mins.
For the Chocolate Sandesh
Take the chhana after kneading and mix with sugar.
Heat a nonstick pan and cook this chhana for 4 to 5 mins. We are not supposed to cook for long as chhana can turn to crumble.
Then add the cocoa powder and combine everything well.
The chhana should be cooked just enough for us to mold it into shapes.
Remove, press a teaspoon of chhana into a square-shaped molds. Refrigerate for 30 mins.
Assembling Vino Sandesh
Unmold all the layers, now take two layers of Malai Sandesh, place on a plate.
On one layer, place the chocolate Sandesh.
Spread a teaspoon of dark chocolate ganache.
Place the other Malai Sandesh over this and press well.
Continue with the rest of the pieces.
Garnish each with mixed nuts.
This can be refrigerated until serving.
Serve chill
Notes
All the layers will be very soft to handle, so refrigerate till it becomes a little firm to handle.
Having the dark chocolate ganache spread is optional, however, I strongly recommend it.
Recipe
Vino Sandesh | How to make Chocolate Stuffed Malai Sandesh
Ingredients
For the Dark Chocolate Ganache
- 1/2 cup Dark Chocolate Compound
- 1 tbsp Cream
- 1/2 tbsp Butter
For the Malai Sandesh
- 1 cup Paneer / Chhana / Cottage Cheese
- 1/2 cup Sugar powdered
For the Chocolate Sandesh
- 1/2 cup Paneer / Chhana / Cottage Cheese
- 2 tbsp Cocoa Powder
- 1/4 cup Sugar powdered
Other Ingredients
- 1/4 cup Mixed Nuts finely chopped
Instructions
For the Dark Chocolate Ganache
- In a microwave safe bowl, take the chopped dark chocolate compound, microwave for a minute.
- Remove and whisk to melt the chocolate.
- Add the cream and butter and microwave again for a minute. Keep it aside.
For the Malai Sandesh
- Take the chhana after kneading and mix with sugar.
- Heat a nonstick pan and cook this chhana for 4 to 5 mins. We are not supposed to cook for long as chhana can turn crumble.
- This should be just enough for us to mold it into shapes.
- Remove, press a teaspoon of chhana into a square shaped molds. Refrigerate for 30 mins.
For the Chocolate Sandesh
- Take the chhana after kneading and mix with sugar.
- Heat a nonstick pan and cook this chhana for 4 to 5 mins. We are not supposed to cook for long as chhana can turn crumble.
- Then add the cocoa powder and combine everything well.
- The chhana should be cooked just enough for us to mold it into shapes.
- Remove, press a teaspoon of chhana into a square shaped molds. Refrigerate for 30 mins.
Assembling Vino Sandesh
- Unmold all the layers, now take two layers of Malai Sandesh, place on a plate.
- On one layer, place the chocolate sandesh.
- Spread a teaspoon of dark chocolate ganache.
- Place the other Malai Sandesh over this and press well.
- Continue with the rest of the pieces.
- Garnish each with mixed nuts.
- This can be refrigerated until serving.
- Serve chill
Notes
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vaishalisabnani says
This must have been a treat for the kids, I had been wondering why nothing is coming up with chocolate..poor kiddos they must have been missing on it this marathon.
Sharmila - The Happie Friends Potpourri Corner says
Sandesh with chocolate layer is just yumm.. Lovely innovation..
Srividhya Gopalakrishnan says
I always love milk and chocolate combo. This sounds delicious.
Sapana says
No wonder it was the super hit among the series. Looks absolutely sinful and a real treat ????????
Gayathri says
What an awesome variety of sandesh. Love that chocolate twist you have given. I am bookmarking this to try later..
Priya Suresh says
Am awestuck to know about the varieties of sandesh you have tried for this month's BM, dunno which one to try now. Vino sandesh rocks.
Sowmya:) says
Chocolate and Sandesh! Can it get any better? Looks delicious Valli...you totally rocked this marathon!
themadscientistskitchen says
Awesome two of my most favourite things together.Sandesh n chocolate.
Mayuri Patel says
When I read the name initially I thought it would be a wine flavored sandesh. However, the chocolate one looks equally exciting.
ruchi indu says
Sandesh with chocolate. wow!! You have rocked this marathon Valli.