Cheese Barfi
(Sweetened Cheese Cubes, Nepali style)

Ingredients:

• 2 cups khuwa (milk solids)
• 2 cups ricotta cheese (packed in cheese cloth liner and drained overnight)
• 1/2 can sweet condensed milk
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup sifted flour
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup almonds, coarsely chopped

For cream sauce:

• 3 cups half-and-half cream
• 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1 tablespoon rose water
• 1/2 cup sugar

Cooking Instructions:

In a food processor, combine milk solids (khuwa), ricotta cheese, condensed milk, sugar, flour, baking powder, ground cardamom, and salt to a smooth paste-like mixture. Pour into a large bowl. To the cheese mixture, add almonds; fold in thoroughly. Butter a baking dish well and pour the mixture; spread into one-inch thick layer. Smooth out the surface and bake at 325oF for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the top is lightly brown. Allow to cool down; cut into one-inch cubes.

In a sauce pan pour cream; add one half teaspoon of ground cardamom, rose water, and one half cup of sugar. Allow to simmer slowly, constantly stirring, until the cream mixture has thickened into a syrupy consistency. Remove from heat; allow to cool. To serve, put a few cubes in a serving bowl, add some cream sauce, topped with almond slices.