If cheesecakes were the dominants of the western world. Well, let me to introduce to you the quintessential Odia dessert called Chhenapoda – the only well known Indian dessert derives its flavor primarily from caramelized sugar. It’s made of a few basic ingredients but yields a smoky, nutty flavored sublime dessert that is infinitely rich and intense. I particularly love it’s texture, it certainly looks like a cake but tastes like a slightly grainy pudding. How much I try to put my feelings in words, I don’t think I can truly describe in words what a wonderful dessert I am talking about. The proof of this dessert is totally in it’s eating and considering how easy it is to make, you might start to making it now. Chhena Poda or baked cottage cheese is a sweet dish from the state of Odisha, India. The literal meaning of Chhena poda is burnt cottage cheese; Chhena is cottage cheese and Poda means burnt. The procedure is simple, home-made cottage cheese is well-kneaded along with dry fruits and sugar, then it is slowly baked till the caramelized brown color appears. What makes this sweet dish different from other Indian desserts is the flavor of caramelized sugar. Chhena poda is usually made at home during traditional festivals and as offerings to the God. It is said that Chhena Poda is Lord Jagganath’s favourite dessert.
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