Microwave Paal Kova (milk cake)

Microwave Paal Kova or Milk Cake is super easy to make in the microwave and it tastes amazing. A quick and easy Indian sweet.

Here in the Northeast region of the USA we had a major snowstorm this weekend, in OCTOBER!  My weekend didn't exactly go as planned, and my biggest regret is missing my friend’s engagement party due to the storm… sorry KP!  Apart from a disastrous storm, it was a fun weekend with family.


This past Diwali I made a quick dessert in less than 15 minutes and it was so so good, and seriously ANYONE can make this dessert, there is nothing intimidating about it!  So here is the decadent recipe that I stumbled upon on Spiceindiaonline.  I made a few alterations to this recipe that I will share with you below.
Paal Kova is a specialty in India’s southern region of Tamil Nadu.  The key to making this delicious dessert is microwaving the condensed milk, yogurt, and clarified butter, every few minutes until you reach the right color and consistency.
And since it was Diwali, there is absolutely nothing healthy about this dessert, but it tastes divine.  Having said that, I do want to work on a reduced fat version of this incredible dessert.  My husband LOVED it! 


NUTRITION: None!


MODIFICATIONS I MADE:

• Since I didn’t have pistachios on hand, I added some cardamom powder.
• I lowered the amount of ghee (clarified butter) used in this recipe.
• I garnished with a few cashew nuts, but this is totally optional.

APPROXIMATE NUTRITION PER SERVING (yields 10 diamond shaped pieces)

• Calories: 155 cals
• Fat: 5.6 g
• Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
• Carbs: 22 g
• Protein: 3.2 g
• Fiber: 0 g

PAAL KOVA (mostly adapted by SpiceIndiaOnline)
~ yields 10 diamond shaped pieces 
~ fat and calories were not reduced in this recipe

INGREDIENTS:

• Sweetened Condensed Milk – 1-14 ounce can
• Low Fat Yogurt – 3 tbsp
• Ghee (clarified butter) – 1 tablespoon + 2 tsp
• Ground Cardamom – ½ tsp
• Cashews – 3 to 4 (chopped for garnish)

DIRECTIONS:
1. To start, here is what you’ll need.
2. In a microwave safe bowl, add sweetened condensed milk.
3. Add 1 tablespoon of ghee (clarified butter).  You can use unsalted butter – I’m pretty sure it will work well, too.
4. Add 3 tablespoon of yogurt.
5. Mix well.
6. Into the microwave for 4 minutes.
7. After 4 minutes, using a towel, remove the bowl from the microwave and let it sit for a minute.
8. Stir, notice there is liquid. 
9. Into the microwave again, this time for 2 minutes.  This is what you should have the next time.  Wait a minute before stirring.
10. Stir, notice the liquid?
11. Add 2 teaspoon of ghee (clarified butter), although I’m sure you can skip this step.  Stir.

12. Into the microwave for 2 minutes.  This is what you should have.  Wait a minute before stirring.

13. Stir.  Again, into the microwave for another 2 minutes.
14. This is what you should have.  It keeps getting hotter and hotter.  Wait a minute before stirring.
15. This time when you stir, notice the liquid is evaporated and the color changed. 
16. I put this in the microwave another 1 to 2 minutes at most.  Start with 1 minute and check.  This is what you should have. 
17. Stir. 
18. Add cardamom powder.  Stir.
19. Plate the sweet onto a serving plate. 
20. Chop cashew nuts for garnish – optional.  You can use pistachios or almonds.
21. Top with cashew nuts and indulge while it is still warm or wait a little bit.  I promise you this stuff is a UH-MAZING, especially with a cup of hot tea!


OVERALL RATING: 5 / 5
This dessert was amazing, and I just happened to stumble upon it, so glad I did.  I’ll definitely work on a Reduced-Fat version of this dessert because I will most definitely be making it again.  So easy and so good, it won’t disappoint.

TELL ME: Have you ever made Indian Desserts in the microwave?  If so, what?  Share with us!