Categories: Cheese, Vegetarian, Desserts, Indian 
      Yield: 8 servings 
  
      2 lb Ricotta Cheese 
      2 qt Half and Half 
      2 c  Sugar 
      5    Cardamon pods 
      1    Bay leaf 
      1 ts Vanilla 
           Rose water; to taste (opt) 
  
  Mix 1 1/2 cups of sugar with the Ricotta cheese and bake it in a 400 F oven 
  for about 75 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 1/2 cup sugar, cardamom pods, bay leaf, vanilla and rose 
  water (and any other flavoring 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. 
   
    Rajeev Krishnamoorthy, rajeev@twain.EE.CORNELL.EDU