Ras Malai (Indian cheese balls in milk)

This is an Indian dessert treat The recipe is from A taste of Palace Life Royal Indian Cookery The prep time includes time for chilling before servingby Manju Shivra.

• Ready In: 4 hrs 15 mins
• Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 7 1⁄2 cups milk
• 1  cup sugar
• 1  teaspoon green cardamoms
• 1  teaspoon saffron
• 1 1⁄2 cups cottage cheese
• 3⁄4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1  teaspoon rose water or 1  teaspoon kewra essence
• 3 -5  shelled pistachio nuts

Directions

1. Put the milk into a large pan with the sugar.
2. Crush the cardamoms and add to the pan with the saffron.
3. Simmer the mixture over a medium heat until it has been reduced by half and thickened slightly.
4. Turn the heat down as low as possible under the pan.
5. Beat the cottage cheese and flour together, divide into six or eight portions and roll these into balls.
6. Flatten each one slightly and drop them into the pan of milk.
7. Simmer for 10 to 15 minutes.
8. Remove the pan from the heat and carefully transfer into a serving bowl.
9. Cool completely, then stir in the rosewater or kewra essence.
10. Chill.
11. Just before serving, chop the pistacchio nuts and sprinkle over the top.