New Delhi: Sawan is considered one of the most sacred months for worshipping Lord Shiva. During this holy period, devotees observe fasts every Monday and offer special prayers. If you are fasting on Mondays, preparing homemade sweets for the offering is often considered more meaningful than buying them from a shop.
Kalakand is a soft, rich, and delicious milk-based sweet that is perfect for Sawan celebrations. It requires only a few simple ingredients, including milk, sugar, and dry fruits, making it easy to prepare at home.
What are the ingredients required to make kalakand?
- Milk- 2 litres
- Lemon Juice- 2 teaspoons
- Sugar- according to taste
- Cardamom powder- 1/2 teaspoon
- Chopped almonds and pistachios- for decoration
What is the recipe to make Kalakand at home?
- Cook the milk well: Pour the milk into a heavy-bottomed pan and heat it over medium flame. Stir it occasionally so that it does not stick to the bottom. Cook until the milk starts to thicken slightly.
- Make chhena from milk: Slowly, add lemon juice to the milk while stirring gently. When the milk curdles, strain it through a cloth and remove the excess water. Then, lightly press the prepared chhena to keep it soft.
- Sweeten the Kalakand: After the chhena is prepared, add it back into the thickened milk and cook it over low heat. Then, add sugar and cardamom powder and stir continuously. When the mixture thickens and starts to leave the sides of the pan, turn off the heat.
- How to set it: First, grease the plate or container with a little ghee and spread the Kalakand mixture evenly. Then, sprinkle almonds and pistachios on top and press them lightly. Let the mixture cool for a few hours. After the mixture has cooled properly, cut it into pieces of your desired shape.
What are the important things to be kept in mind while making Kalakand?
The milk used for making Kalakand must be fresh. Continuous stirring of the milk while cooking improves the flavour. Avoid adding too much sugar and keep it balanced.
Using homemade sweets for worshipping Lord Shiva during this month of Sawan adds a personal touch to the worship.
