Komla-lebur Chenna Payesh/Orange Kheer

Just the other day, I suddenly remembered that we are approaching that wonderful time of the year when the markets are flooded with some amazing and fresh fruits and vegetables. The first fruit that came in my mind was Oranges and I had a sudden strong craving for it.

Today being the 'Sweet day' on our blog, I just had to sync the two-Oranges and Sweet. Now, normally that should not be too difficult for the crazy Baker mind of mine. After all, I can put my hands on anything from Orange cake/cupcakes/cookies...But somehow I wanted to try something more easy, something more different and perhaps something more traditional. 

A quick search on the net led me to the perfect answer. I found a super easy and fast method of the very famous Bengali Kheer-Chenna Payesh. The interesting bit was the addition of oranges in it and the super easy method was making it in the Microwave. Though I made all the ingredient myself and used the stove top for it, I have added the easy microwave method too at the end.

Vishal, my husband, helped me buy the best Oranges available and I decided to serve the sweet in the orange itself which I shaped as a basket. The kheer/Chenna payesh was such a hit and everyone in the family admired my idea of serving in the orange basket. My father declared it 'Darun' (Wonderful in Bengali)

Stove top method

 

Ingredients: For 3-4 servings

• 500 ml milk (I used Amul Tazaa)
• 1/4 tsp citric acid/1 tsp lemon juice
• 3 tbsp sugar
• Orange segments
• 1 tsp Orange rind

Procedure :

Chenna-Take 1 1/2 cup milk in a pan and bring it to a boil. Add citric acid/lemon juice and stir well till the milk curdles and the whey separates. Line a bowl with muslin cloth and drain all the chenna with the whey into it. Collect the muslin cloth by its all four sides and tie it to allow the whey to drain completely(I normally tie it to my kitchen basin Tap) for 20-30 mins. 

Kheer-Take 1 cup milk in a pan and add sugar. Bring it to a boil, allow it to simmer on low heat till it reduces to half. This should take around 15-20 mins. 

Add 1 cup milk and the drained chenna(crumble it with your hands) and mix well. Remove from heat and allow to cool.

Orange Basket-Make knife marks on the orange top in the shape of a basket with a handle. Carefully remove the marked segments with the help of a knife. Loosen the white part covering the orange segments to the skin with a knife and then cut the orange through half. With the help of a spoon remove the other half of the orange to make the basket. Reserve orange segments for use in the kheer/payesh.

 

Add the orange segments and the orange rind to the now cool kheer/payesh. Refrigerate.
Just before serving, remove from the fridge and serve in the orange baskets. 

Microwave method : Adapted from Tarla Dalal

Ingredients : For 3-4 servings

• 1 cup milk
• 1/4 cup condensed milk
• 1/4 cup grated paneer
• orange segments
• 1 tsp orange rind

Method :

In a microwave safe bowl, combine milk and condensed milk and microwave on high for 3 minutes, stirring in between after every 1 minute. Add the paneer and mix well. Microwave again for 1 minute. Cool completely and add the orange rind and segments. Refrigerate.

Notes:

• You may add some chopped nuts like Pista or Almonds to get a nutty taste.
• You may add cardamom powder to the milk to add in the flavour. 
• Do not leave the kheer/payesh in the orange skin baskets for too long as it might make the kheer bitter. For better results, refrigerate the kheer separately and add to the orange baskets just before serving.

Happy Orange Kheer/Payesh eating
Amrita