Chamcham: The Sweet Delight from Bengal

Chamcham is a popular dessert from Bengal, India. It is a soft, spongy, and sweet delicacy that is enjoyed by people of all ages. The dessert is known for its unique texture and delicious taste. In this article, we will explore the history, ingredients, variations, serving ideas, and nutritional benefits of chamcham.

Ingredients of Chamcham:

Chamcham is made with simple ingredients that are readily available in most kitchens. The primary ingredients of Chamcham include milk, sugar, and chhena (cottage cheese). Other ingredients may include cardamom powder, saffron, and rose water, depending on the recipe.

How to make Chamcham:

The process of making cham cham involves two main steps: preparing the chhena and making the Chamcham.

A. Preparing the chhena: To prepare the chhena, heat milk in a pan and bring it to a boil. Once the milk starts boiling, add lemon juice or vinegar to it and stir continuously until the milk curdles. Drain the whey using a cheesecloth and let the chhena cool.

B. Making the cham cham: To make the cham cham, knead the chhena until it becomes smooth and free of lumps. Then, divide the chhena into small portions and shape them into cylindrical or oval shapes. Boil sugar syrup in a pan and add the cham cham to it. Let the cham cham cook in the syrup for about 10-15 minutes until it absorbs the sweetness.

Chamcham: The Sweet Delight from Bengal

Recipe by SAYEDCourse: Foods, Life Style, Travel, WorldCuisine: Cham chamDifficulty: Medium

Servings

6

servings

Prep time

15

minutes

Cooking time

30

minutes

Calories

311

kcal

Total time

45

minutes

Chamcham was first made in the town of Pardanga, which is in the Hooghly district of Bengal. It is believed that a sweet maker named Nabin Chandra Das created chamcham in the early 19th century. The popularity of chamcham grew over the years and it became a staple sweet dish in Bengal.

Ingredients

• 1 liter whole milk

• 2 tablespoons lemon juice

• 1 cup sugar

• 4 cups water

• 1 teaspoon rose water

• A few drops of pink food color (optional)

• 1/4 cup grated coconut

• Chopped pistachios for garnish

Directions

• In a heavy-bottomed pan, bring the milk to a boil.
• Turn off the heat and add lemon juice. Stir well until the milk curdles.
• Strain the mixture using a muslin cloth and wash the chenna (cottage cheese) under running water to remove any traces of lemon juice.
• Hang the chenna in the muslin cloth for 30 minutes to remove excess water.
• Knead the chenna until it becomes smooth and soft.
• Divide the chenna into small portions and roll them into oblong-shaped balls.
• In another pan, combine sugar and water and bring it to a boil.
• Add the chenna balls to the sugar syrup and simmer for 15 minutes.
• Remove from heat and add rose water and pink food color (optional). Let it cool.
• Roll the cham cham in grated coconut and garnish with chopped pistachios.

Recipe Video

Notes

• Nutrition Facts (per serving): Calories: 311 | Total Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 18mg | Sodium: 62mg | Total Carbohydrates: 62g | Dietary Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 58g | Protein: 4g

Variations of Chamcham:

There are several variations of chamcham that can be made by adding different flavors and ingredients.

A. Flavored cham cham: Flavored chamcham can be made by adding cardamom powder, saffron, rose water, or any other flavoring of your choice to the sugar syrup.

B. Chocolate chamcham: Chocolate chamcham is a variation of chamcham that is made by adding cocoa powder or chocolate syrup to the sugar syrup.

Serving Chamcham:

Chamcham can be served as a dessert or a sweet dish.

A. Chamcham as a dessert: Serve cham cham chilled as a dessert after meals. You can garnish it with chopped nuts, grated coconut, or rose petals.

B. Chamcham as a sweet dish: Cham cham can also be served as a sweet dish during festive occasions and celebrations. It can be accompanied by other sweets like rasgulla, gulab jamun, or jalebi.

Nutritional benefits of chamcham:

Chamcham is a good source of calcium and protein due to the presence of chhena in it. However, it is high in sugar and should be consumed in moderation.

Conclusion:

Chamcham is a delicious and popular dessert from Bengal, India. It is made with simple ingredients and can be easily prepared at home. Cham cham can be served as a dessert or a sweet dish, and there are several variations of it that can be made by adding different flavors and ingredients. While it is high in sugar, chamcham also provides nutritional benefits such as calcium and protein.

See also: Aloo Bhujia: The Ultimate Snack for Every Occasion

FAQs:

Is cham cham gluten-free?

• Yes, cham cham is gluten-free as it is made with chhena, which is a gluten-free ingredient.

How many calories are in cham cham?

• The calorie content of cham cham varies depending on the size and recipe. On average, a single piece of cham cham contains around 100-150 calories.

Can cham cham be stored for later consumption?

• Yes, cham cham can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. However, it is best to consume it fresh for the best taste.

Is cham cham a vegan dessert?

• No, cham cham is not a vegan dessert as it contains chhena, which is a dairy product.

Can cham cham be made without sugar?

• Cham cham requires sugar to make the sweet syrup in which it is cooked. However, you can use alternative sweeteners such as honey or stevia if you prefer.