Milk curdled while boiling? Don’t throw it away! Make these 3 delicious festive desserts instead

Did your milk curdle while heating it? Don’t worry. If your milk split not because it was rotten or mouldy, but on its own or after you added a splash of lemon juice or vinegar, you can use it to make some delicious sweets this festive season. No food waste, and happy smiles guaranteed.

Cheesecake

Believe it or not, you can absolutely make a cheesecake using curdled milk. All you need is milk and vinegar or lemon juice to curdle it. Some may suggest heating the milk without bringing it to a boil, while others recommend boiling it. You do you. Meanwhile, baker Shivesh Bhatia recommends adding a cup of fresh cream to four cups of milk, along with salt, to achieve a thicker consistency similar to store-bought cream cheese.

As soon as the milk splits, drain it through a muslin cloth placed over a metal sieve. Gather the cloth and let the whey drain out. Blend the solids until smooth, and there you have your homemade cream cheese. Here's a quick recipe to attempt it at home-


Now, to assemble the cheesecake, take any biscuits of your choice and a springform pan with a flat base.

- Grind your favourite biscuits and mix them with melted butter to create the cheesecake base.

- Transfer the mixture to the springform pan and press it down with the flat bottom of a bowl or glass to create an even layer.

- For a simple cheesecake, add powdered sugar to the cream cheese and adjust the sweetness to your liking. If you want to add colour or flavour, blend it into the cream cheese mixture.

- Spread the cream cheese mixture over the biscuit base and gently tap the pan to level it. Refrigerate for at least three to four hours. Once the cheesecake has set, add your favourite toppings before serving.

Roshogulla

Rasgulla/Roshogulla is synonymous to celebration. So, for any auspicioius days or occasion, rasgulla will definitely make you happy. Here's a quick recipe-

The process of curdling the milk remains the same.

- Once you have drained the whey, transfer the milk solids to a plate.

- Add a tablespoon of maida and knead until the mixture becomes soft and smooth, without a crumbly texture.

- Shape it into small and smooth balls.

- In a pot, add about a litre of water and a cup of sugar.

- Once the syrup reaches a rolling boil, gently drop in the balls and cook for around 10 to 15 minutes, keeping the syrup boiling.

- Let them cool slightly in the syrup before serving.

Kalakand

Kalakand is another festive delight that you can whip up in a jiffy without spending a single penny. Check out a quick recipe to make it-

- Add the curdled milk solids to a flat pan, along with a tablespoon of ghee and a little milk.

- Adjust the quantity of milk as needed to achieve a moist mixture. Add sugar according to your preferred sweetness and ¼ teaspoon of cardamom powder.

- Cook over low heat, stirring continuously until the mixture thickens and comes together.

- Spread it onto a greased steel plate and garnish with chopped nuts.

- Let it cool completely, then cut it into squares and serve.