Chhena Poda Recipe: Easy Steps To Make This Desi Cheesecake

If it's not irresistibly delicious, is it even an Indian dessert? Each region in Indian offers an array of sweet treats and every single dessert is different from each other in terms of taste, texture and of course the preparation method. We Indians mark every occasion with sweets, or we must say a loads of sweets. While some desserts are made in a particular season, some sweets are available in all seasons. This piece is dedicated to a special and desi cheesecake from India. Can you guess?  

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Yes, you guessed it right! It is Chhena Poda, the ultimate cheesecake from Odisha. Odia cuisine is known for its rich and vibrant flavours and unique ingredients. But this dessert is special, and it perfectly mirrors how rich the state’s culinary history is. With a rich taste and even richer history, Chhena Poda is believed to be Lord Jagannath’s favourite. While ‘Chhena’ refers to a cottage cheese form made up of curdling milk, ‘Poda’ translates to roasted or burnt. Did you know that this dessert was created by mistake?  

If some food legends are to be believed, a confectioner in Dasapalla had left a batch of cottage cheese mixed with sugar and spices in a hot oven for a much longer period. The result was a scrumptious, caramelized, golden-brown dessert that we know as ‘Chhena Poda’. Want to make this desi cheesecake at home? Well, we have your back like always. Here is the quick recipe to make ‘Chhena Poda’ at home. 

Ingredients 

  • 3 cup paneer 
  • 2 tbsp ghee 
  • 1/2 cup raisins 
  • 4 tbsp semolina 
  • 1 cup sugar 
  • 1/2 handful cashews 
  • 1/4 tsp powdered green cardamom 

Method 

  • Take a deep bottomed pan and heat it on a medium flame. Add ghee to it and when the ghee is hot enough, start frying cashews. Keep these fried cashews in a separate bowl. 
  • In a big plate, add fresh and semolina. Mix them well and then add sugar as well as crushed nuts.  
  • Take a mould and add ghee along with sugar. Now, add the paneer mixture and spread it evenly using a spatula. 
  • Cover the mould using foil paper and let it bake for 35 to 40 minutes. When ready, garnish the ‘Chhena Poda’ with some cardamom powder and serve warm. 

What are your views about ‘Chhena Poda’? Do let us know!