Microwave Ricotta Badam (Almond) Burfi

A desi Mithai Badam Burfi with an Italian Cheese. This nutrient rich Almond Barfi tastes great and cooking it in a microwave will save you some time.  Traditionally, Khoya or Mava is used to prepare this sweet. But nowadays, I use Ricotta Cheese which works as the best alternative for our desi Khoya.

Ingredients:
Almonds/Badam - 1/4 cup
Ricotta Cheese - 1 cup
Ghee/Clarified Butter - 1 tsp
Sugar - 2 tbsp
Green Cardamom/Elaichi - 2 pods
Saffron/Kesar - few strands
Almonds for garnish - 2

How to prepare Almond Barfi in a microwave:

• Soak almonds in water overnight or for two hours. Soaking will enable the almond skin to come off easily.
• Drain the water and peel the almond skin. Grind almonds to a fine powder in a blender.
• Crush cardamom seeds and saffron in a mortar pestle to a fine powder. Chop 2 almonds for garnish.
• Grease a tray with few drops of ghee.

• In a microwave safe bowl, add ghee. Grease the bowl well with ghee. Now add ricotta cheese and microwave for 2 minutes.
• Add almond powder and microwave for 2 minutes. Lastly, add cardamom, saffron and sugar. Microwave for another 4 minutes. Stop the microwave after every one minute and stir.  Keep checking to avoid burning. Microwave for few more minutes until moisture is lost.
• Pour the hot Burfi mix on the greased plate. Spread it evenly and make cuts with a knife while it is still hot. Let it cool completely before cutting out Burfi squares. Garnish with chopped almonds and keep Almond Ricotta Burfi refrigerated.