Ras Malai

INGREDIENTS:
Ricotta Cheese 2 lb.
Half and Half 2 qts.
Sugar 2 cups
Cardamon pods 5
Bay leaf 1
Vanilla 1 tsp.
Rose Water To taste (opt.)

METHOD:
- Mix 1.5 cups of sugar with the Ricotta cheese and bake it in a 400° F oven for about 1hr and 15 minutes in a flat dish covered with aluminum foil.
- The cheese should have hardened and turned a pale brown.
- Thicken the Half and Half by simmering over low heat for a long time.
- This is best done in a microwave; if a microwave is not available, do it over low heat and stir frequently.
- Thicken until the volume drops to around half of the original volume.
- Add the remaining 0.5 cup sugar, cardamon pods, bay leaf, vanilla and rose water (and any other flavouring that you may want) to the Half and Half.
- Heat for a few minutes.
- After the cheese has been baked, cut it into 1 inch squares and add to the hot thickened half and half.
- Cool for a few hours in the fridge.