Frederic Melton
Peda is a popular Indian sweet, often served at festivals such as Holi, Raksha Bandhan, Diwali, and Navratri. It is similar to fudge, but with a semi-soft and thick consistency. This recipe substitutes the traditional mawa with ricotta cheese, resulting in a dessert that is rich, creamy, and tender, with a melt-in-the-mouth texture. The addition of ghee, milk powder, sugar, and saffron-soaked milk enhances the flavour and texture, making it a delicious treat that is perfect for any celebration.
How to Make Peda Using Ricotta Cheese
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Ricotta cheese, milk powder, sugar, ghee, saffron, cardamom powder, pistachios, rose petals |
| Equipment | Heavy-bottomed pan, microwave (optional), bowl, platter, spoon |
| Time | 20-30 minutes |
| Method | Mix ingredients in a bowl, transfer to a pan, stir continuously until mixture leaves the sides, form into balls, decorate |
| Storage | Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the fridge for up to 10 days |
| Variations | Add cocoa powder for chocolate peda, use molds to shape, add food colouring |
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What You'll Learn
- Ingredients: Ricotta cheese, condensed milk, ghee, cardamom, saffron, and nuts
- Cooking method: Mix ingredients, form balls, and decorate
- Texture: Soft, creamy, melt-in-your-mouth, and thick
- Taste: Sweet, warm, and pleasant
- Storage: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days at room temperature or up to a week in the fridge
Ingredients: Ricotta cheese, condensed milk, ghee, cardamom, saffron, and nuts
Ricotta cheese peda is a delicious Indian dessert that is easy to make and requires just a few simple ingredients. The main ingredients are ricotta cheese, condensed milk, ghee, cardamom, saffron, and nuts.
To make this tasty treat, start by mixing the ricotta cheese, condensed milk, and ghee in a large microwavable bowl. Place the bowl in the microwave and cook for 2 minutes, then stir the mixture and repeat this process for another 4 minutes. You will notice that the cheese will start to turn brown and become granular.
Next, add cardamom powder and saffron dissolved in milk to the mixture and stir everything together. You can also add sugar at this stage for extra sweetness. Turn off the heat and let the mixture cool slightly.
Once the mixture is cool enough to handle, oil your hands and scoop out about 2 tablespoons of the mixture. Roll it into a ball and then gently press down to form a disc shape. Repeat this process until you have used up all the mixture.
Finally, place the pedas on a platter and sprinkle chopped pistachios or other nuts, and rose petals on top. You can also use a candy mold or a cookie-shaped disc to decorate your pedas. Serve them fresh, or store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
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Cooking method: Mix ingredients, form balls, and decorate
First, mix your ricotta cheese, ghee, and condensed milk in a bowl. If you're using a microwave, cook the mixture for 2 minutes at a time, stirring in between, for a total of 6 minutes. If you're using a stovetop, heat the mixture on a medium flame in a heavy-bottomed pan, stirring continuously for about 20 minutes, until the mixture leaves the sides of the pan.
Next, add milk powder and stir until it becomes a dough-like consistency. You can also add saffron and cardamom powder at this stage, stirring everything together. Turn off the heat and let the mixture cool for about 10-15 minutes.
Once the mixture is cool enough to handle, oil your hands and scoop 2 tablespoons of the mixture into your palms. Roll the mixture into balls and then gently press down on the balls to form discs.
Finally, decorate your pedas by sprinkling chopped pistachios and rose petals on top. You can also use a candy mold, a cookie-shaped disc, or a fork to create different shapes and designs on your pedas.
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Texture: Soft, creamy, melt-in-your-mouth, and thick
The soft, creamy, melt-in-your-mouth texture of ricotta cheese peda is achieved by using ricotta cheese as the main ingredient and following a few simple steps.
First, the ricotta cheese is mixed with other ingredients such as condensed milk, milk powder, sugar, and ghee, and heated until it becomes a thick, dough-like consistency. This process can be done in a microwave or on a stovetop, and it typically takes around 20 minutes for the mixture to reach the desired texture. The mixture should be stirred continuously to prevent it from sticking to the pan and burning.
The addition of milk powder is essential to achieving the thick and creamy texture of the peda. It is added after the initial heating process and helps to absorb any excess moisture from the ricotta cheese. This ensures that the final product is not too wet or sticky.
Once the mixture has cooled slightly, it is then shaped into small balls or discs. The warmth of the mixture makes it pliable and easy to work with. Some recipes suggest using ghee or butter on your palms to shape the peda, as it helps to smooth out the surface and prevent sticking.
The final step is to decorate the peda. Traditional toppings include chopped pistachios and rose petals, which add a crunchy texture and a pop of color. These toppings are gently pressed into the peda while they are still warm so that they adhere to the surface.
By following these steps and using ricotta cheese as the base ingredient, you can create a soft, creamy, and melt-in-your-mouth peda with a thick and indulgent texture.
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Taste: Sweet, warm, and pleasant
Ricotta cheese peda is a sweet, creamy, and rich dessert with a soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture. The use of ricotta cheese in this recipe imparts a unique taste and mouthfeel, resulting in a tender and creamy outcome. The sweetness of the dish can be adjusted to your preference by adding more or less sugar. The addition of saffron and cardamom further enhances the warm and pleasant flavours. The saffron also adds a beautiful colour to the peda.
The process of making ricotta cheese peda is relatively simple and quick, requiring easily accessible ingredients. The key components are ricotta cheese, milk powder, sugar, and ghee. The milk powder and sugar can be adjusted to your preference, with the option of using low-fat or full-fat milk powder, and natural sweeteners instead of sugar. The ghee is essential to achieving a smooth and shiny consistency for the mixture.
To prepare the peda, you will first mix the ricotta cheese, sugar, and ghee in a bowl. This mixture is then transferred to a heavy-bottomed pan and heated on medium flame. It is important to stir continuously to prevent the mixture from sticking to the pan. Once the mixture starts to leave the sides of the pan, add the milk powder and continue stirring until it forms a dough-like consistency.
The addition of cardamom powder enhances the warm and pleasant flavours of the dish. At this stage, you can turn off the heat and allow the mixture to cool slightly before shaping it into small round balls. The shaping process involves scooping a small portion of the mixture and rolling it into a ball with your palms. You can use a little ghee on your palms to ensure a smooth and easy shaping process.
The final step is to garnish the pedas with chopped pistachios and rose petals, pressing them slightly to adhere to the surface. These sweet treats can be served fresh or stored in an airtight container at room temperature for a couple of days. They can also be refrigerated and enjoyed for up to a week.
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Storage: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days at room temperature or up to a week in the fridge
Once your pedas are ready, allow them to cool completely. They will solidify as they cool. It's important to note that milk products burn quickly, so make sure not to leave them unattended even for a minute. Even a slight burn can leave an unpleasant odour, and you will have to toss the entire batch.
Peda can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days. However, if you live in a hot climate, it is best to refrigerate them. They will stay fresh in the fridge for about a week or up to 8-10 days.
If your pedas have been refrigerated, simply microwave them for 10-15 seconds to bring them back to room temperature before serving.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need ricotta cheese, ghee, milk powder, sugar, saffron, and cardamom powder.
It takes approximately 30 minutes to make the mixture, and then you will need to let it cool for 10-15 minutes before shaping the peda.
You can use either store-bought or homemade ricotta cheese. If you are using store-bought, opt for full-fat ricotta.
The peda can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. They will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.
