Ricotta cheese ras malai
Easy baked ricotta squares soaked in kewra-scented cream
A quick, modern ras malai: ricotta beaten with sugar and cardamom, baked until just set, cut into squares and soaked overnight in cream scented with kewra (screwpine) essence. It's soft, creamy and delicately perfumed, without the work of making paneer. Serve chilled with almond and pistachio flakes.
- Total time
- 55 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 16
Ingredients
For the malai
For the ras
To garnish
Method
0/9 doneStep 1: Heat the oven to 250°F. Beat 1 ⅛ lb ricotta cheese, 4 oz sugar and 1 tsp ground cardamom with an electric mixer until it becomes a smooth batter.
Step 2: Pour into a greased 20 cm square baking tin.
Step 3: Bake for 30–40 minutes, until the top turns pale yellow and a wooden pick pushed into the centre comes out clean.
35 minStep 4: Let it cool for 10 minutes, then cut into small squares with a sharp knife.
10 minStep 5: Mix 2 cups single cream and 3 drops kewra essence thoroughly.
Step 6: Lay the cheese squares upside down in the cream, along with any liquid from the tin.
Step 7: Chill overnight, or for at least 4 hours, before serving.
240 minStep 8: Garnish with 2 tbsp slivered almonds and pistachio flakes.
Step 9: For a lighter ras: instead of the cream, boil 1.5 litres of milk until it reduces to half, let it cool and stir in 200 g fresh cream.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 170 kcal
- Protein
- 5 g
- Carbs
- 10 g
- Fat
- 12 g
- Fibre
- 0 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does ricotta cheese ras malai take?
- About 55 minutes in total: 15 minutes to prepare and 40 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 16 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- Can I make it ahead?
- Yes. It keeps well, so you can cook it earlier in the day or the day before and reheat it.
- What can I use instead of sugar?
- Caster sugar, same amount.
- What can I use instead of single cream?
- Half double cream, half milk.
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