Ras Malai (Baked Cheese Pudding And Cream)

• 1 pound ricotta cheese (regular; do not use low-fat)
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 2/3 cup plus 1/4 cup sugar
• 3/4 teaspoon powdered cardamom
• 1 cup half-and-half
• 1/8 teaspoon rose extract (optional)
• varak (silver paper - optional)
• 1/4 cup pistachios or almonds, slivered and dry-roasted

1. Preheat oven to 350'.
2. Mix together the cheese, flour, sugar, and cardamom. Cover with foil and bake for 45-50 minutes in a greased 9-inch cake pan. Pudding should appear somewhat dry; if not, cook longer, up to a total of 1 hour. Set aside for 1 hour.
3. Mix the cream and remaining sugar. Bring to a boil and thicken slightly; add the liquid, which may have accumulated around the baked dessert. Loosen the pudding with a knife and invert onto a serving platter. Cover and chill the pudding and the cream. This recipe can be prepared a day or two in advance up to this point.
4. To serve, place varak on pudding and place cut pieces on individual plates. Sprinkle the nuts and spoon the cream mixture on top of each serving.

ricotta cheese, flour, sugar, powdered cardamom, rose, varak, pistachios

Taken from www.epicurious.com/recipes/member/views/ras-malai-baked-cheese-pudding-and-cream-51999631 (may not work)