Cham Cham

Cham Cham (also known as Chomchom) is a popular Bengali sweet made from fresh paneer (chhena), soaked in sugar syrup. It’s soft, spongy, and absolutely delicious!

Ingredients:

For the Cham Cham:

• 250g fresh paneer (or chhena, homemade or store-bought)
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (optional, for binding)
• 1 tablespoon semolina (sooji) or cornstarch (optional, for texture)
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1-2 tablespoons milk (if needed for binding)

For the Sugar Syrup:

• 1 cup sugar
• 2 cups water
• 2-3 cardamom pods (optional)
• A few strands of saffron or rose water (optional for flavor)

Instructions:

Step 1: Prepare the Cham Cham Mixture

1. Make the Paneer (if you're using homemade paneer): Drain the whey from the fresh paneer and mash it until smooth.
2. In a mixing bowl, combine the mashed paneer with all-purpose flour, semolina (or cornstarch), and baking soda. If the mixture is too dry, add a bit of milk to bring it together.
3. Knead the dough until smooth and soft. Divide the dough into small portions and shape them into oval or cylindrical shapes (about 2-3 inches long).

Step 2: Prepare the Sugar Syrup

1. In a large pan, combine sugar and water. Bring it to a boil, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar.
2. Once the sugar is dissolved, add cardamom pods and saffron (optional), then lower the heat and let the syrup simmer for 5-7 minutes. It should remain thin.
3. Keep the syrup warm while you cook the Cham Cham.

Step 3: Cook the Cham Cham

1. In a large, wide pan, bring water to a boil (about 4 cups) and add the shaped Cham Cham pieces.
2. Gently cook them in the boiling water for about 10-15 minutes. They will double in size as they absorb water and puff up.
3. Remove them from the water and place them directly into the warm sugar syrup. Let them soak for 30-45 minutes to absorb the syrup and become soft and spongy.

Step 4: Garnish & Serve

1. Once soaked, Cham Cham should have a soft, spongy texture. Optionally, you can garnish with chopped pistachios, rose petals, or drizzle with condensed milk for extra richness.
2. Serve the Cham Cham chilled and enjoy the sweet, syrupy goodness!

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Nutritional Value (per serving - 1 piece):

• Calories: 80-100 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 20g (mainly from sugar syrup)
• Protein: 2-3g (from the paneer)
• Fat: 2-3g (from paneer and ghee, if used)
• Sugar: 15-18g (from sugar syrup)