CHEENA GAJA /COTTAGE CHEESE GAJA ORISSA RECIPE

Prep Time  : 25 mins
Cooking Time  : 35 mins
Serve  : 4 - 6

INGREDIENTS
Milk  -  5 cup
Lemon juice  -  2 tbsp
Semolina  -  2 tbsp
Sugar  -  2 cup
Water  -  1/2 cup
Rose water  -  1/2 tsp
Oil  -  for frying

METHOD
Boil milk in a heavy bottom vessel.
Once boiled turn off the flame.
Add lemon juice and cover the vessel.
When the milk is fully curdled,strain it in a muslin cloth and wash in fresh water 2 - 3 times.
Whatever obtained is soft cheena/cottage cheese put it up for drying by hanging it in muslin cloth for around 30 mins.
Add semolina in the cheena / cottage cheese and mix well.
Mash cheena / cottage cheese in order to get a smooth dough.
Divide the dough into 20 equal size balls.,roll these dough into 20 equal size balls,roll these balls in between your palm to get the cylindrical shape.
Now heat enough oil in a pan for deep frying.
Fry the gaja on low heat till golden brown.
Drain in paper napkin.
Again heat the pan.
Add sugar and water till sugar disolves.
Keep it medium flame for 8 - 10 mins.
When it gets stick it means syrup is ready add rose water and turn off the flame.
Place the gaja in the sugar syrup.
Serve after two hours.