Ras Malai

Ras Malai

Ingredients:
Ricotta Cheese 2 lb.
Half and Half 2 qts.
Sugar 2 cups
Cardamon pods 5
Bay leaf 1
Vanilla 1 tsp.
Rose Water To taste (opt.)
Preparation:

• Mix 1.5 cups of sugar with the Ricotta cheese and bake it in a 400o F oven for about 1hr and 15 minutes in a flat dish covered with aluminum foil. 
• The cheese should have hard- ened and turned a pale brown.
• Thicken the Half and Half by simmering over low heat for a long time.
•  This is best done in a microwave; if a microwave is not available, do it over low heat and stir frequently. 
• Thicken until the volume drops to around half of the origi- nal volume.
• Add the remaining 0.5 cup sugar, cardamon pods, bay leaf, vanilla and rose water (and any other flavouring that you may want) to the Half and Half. 
• Heat for a few minutes.
• After the cheese has been baked, cut it into 1 inch squares and add to the hot thickened half and half. Cool for a few hours in the fridge.