Rasmalai

2 quarts milk
1/4 cup lemon juice
3 cups plus 1 tablespoon sugar
5 whole cardamom pods
1 teaspoon fine grained semolina
3 to 4 drops rose essence
1 quart half and half
1/8 teaspoon cardamom seeds
1 tablespoon shelled, unsalted pistachios

Make the chhena with the milk and lemon juice according to the
directions in the preceding recipe with this difference. Hang up the
milk curds for 2 hours instead of 1/2 hour. Knead thoroughly. Make a
ball and set it aside. Put the 3 cups of sugar, 6 cups of water, and
the cardamom pods in a deep 9 1/2 to 10 inch skillet or saute
pan. Bring to a fast simmer over a medium flame. Once the sugar has
dissolved completely, turn the heat to low and let the syrup simmer
gently for 2 minutes. Turn off the heat.

Flatten the ball of chhena and add the semolina as well as the rose
essence to it. Knead for 5 minutes, making sure the semolina and rose
essence are well mixed in. Now make 20 crack-free balls, rolling each
with just a little pressure between the palms of your two hands.

Bring the syrup to a simmer over a medium flame. Drop the balls into
the syrup. Bring to a simmer again. Adjust the heat so the syrup
simmers gently for 5 minutes. During this period, move the balls
around and turn them over occasionally, using a very gentle
touch. Make sure you do not damage the balls. Turn the heat up and
bring the syrup to what might be described as a furious simmer. The
syrup should look like a mass of tiny moving bubbles, but it should
never boil over. Sprinkle the balls with 2 tablespoons of water,
cover, and cook for 10 minutes. During this period, the balls should
swell up.

Uncover; sprinkle the balls with another 2 tablespoons of water, cover
and cook, simmering furiously for another 10 minutes. Turn off the
heat. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the balls to an empty bowl. (The
syrup can now be discarded.) Pour the half and half over the balls
and let them soak in it for 3 hours.

Take the balls gently out of the half and half with a slotted spoon
and put them in another bowl. Pour the half and half into a skillet or
saucepan and boil it down until you have about 2 cups left. Turn off
the heat. Crush the cardamom seeds finely in a mortar and mince the
pistachios. Add the crushed cardamom, the minced pistachios, and the
one tablespoon of sugar to the reduced half and half. Pour this half
and half over the chhena balls. Allow to cool. Cover and refrigerate
for at least 2 hours, and serve cold, as a dessert along with the
creamy sauce.

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