DS3 · Desserts · West Bengal
Nolen Gur Sandesh, Lighter
Kolkata's winter sweet: fresh chhena kneaded with nolen gur until smooth, then cooked briefly and shaped. This version uses less gur and no added sugar.
- Region
- West Bengal (Kolkata)
- Diet
- Strictly vegetarian, egg-free
- Prep
- 30 min
- Cook
- 10 min
- Time, as written
- Prep 30 min · Cook 10 min · Cool 30 min
- Serves
- 3 (3 small pieces, about 60 g, each)
- Difficulty
- Moderate (chhena texture)
- Status
- Adaptation — gur reduced by about half; no added sugar beyond gur
- Good for
- Winter festivals, gifting
Nutrition
Good source| Per serving | kcal | Protein | Carbs | Fat | Sat fat | Fibre | Sugars | Added sugar | Protein per 100 kcal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| As written | 160 | 9 g | 9 g | 10 g | 6 g | <1 g | 8 g | 7 g | 5.5 g |
Tier: Good source. Chhena values are estimated from the milk used (about 80% of the milk protein and 90% of the fat retained, most lactose lost to the whey) — confirm by weighing a test batch. Values checked against IFCT 2017 on 15 Oct 2026.
Values are estimates calculated from the listed ingredients and quantities (IFCT 2017 and product labels), not laboratory measurements. How the numbers were calculated.
Ingredients
Method
Bring milk to a boil. Turn off the heat, wait 1 minute, then add the lemon water gradually, stirring, until the milk splits into curds and clear greenish whey.
Pour into a muslin-lined colander; rinse under cold water to remove the lemon taste. Squeeze gently and hang 30 minutes — the chhena should be moist but not dripping (about 150 g).
Knead the chhena on a plate with the heel of your palm for 5–6 minutes until completely smooth and slightly greasy.
Mix in the gur. Cook in a non-stick pan on low, stirring, for 5–7 minutes until it leaves the sides and just holds together. Do not overcook or it turns grainy.
Cool until warm, add cardamom, knead 1 minute, and shape into 9 small rounds. Press a little pistachio on top.
Protein optimisation
- Where the protein comes from
- Chhena supplies 8.5 g per serving; pistachio 0.5 g.
- Boost
- Knead in 15 g skimmed milk powder with the gur (+2 g protein, +20 kcal per serving).
Variations, serving and storage
- Regional
- Kacha golla — uncooked chhena with sugar, softer and rounder.
- Substitution
- If nolen gur is unavailable, use regular jaggery; the taste is earthier.
- Storage
- 2 days refrigerated.
- Food safety
- Chhena is perishable; refrigerate within 2 hours.
- Meal prep
- Make chhena a day ahead.
Allergens
Milk, tree nuts (pistachio garnish)
Labels: Good source · Soy-free · Whey-free · Gluten-free