Bhapa Doi: Traditional Bengali Dessert in 2 exotic flavours: Masala Chai and Chocolate Orange

Bhapa Doi is a very traditional Bengali delicacy, and means, literally translated, steamed yogurt. Also known as Indian cheesecake due to its texture and taste. 

Though I have spent a good number of years in Kolkata and have tasted a load of Bengali sweets, I must admit that I had never tasted Bhapa Doi. I have seen this recipe on a number of blogs but seeing this recipe at Jyoti's blog actually rang a bell. I wondered why haven't I tried out this recipe yet. The simplicity of this Bengal delicacy is it's highlight.

I have (matter of bad habit) played with the recipe a little and tried out 2 new flavours to the steamed yogurt. One of course has to be my all time favourite Chocolate and this time around I have combined it with orange and almonds. And, the second flavour is Chai Masala (Indian Tea spice powder).

This one is especially for my dear sister - enjoy, and go out and get a bowl from the neighborhood sweet shop!

Ingredients

160 grams - sweetened condensed milk

1/2 cup - greek yogurt 10% fat

1/2 cup - milk

30 grams - dark orange almond chocolate, melted and cooled

1/4 tsp - zest of an orange + to garnish

1/2 tbsp - blanched almond slivers, roasted, to garnish

1/8 tsp  - cardamom powder

1/8 tsp - clove powder

1/8 tsp - dried ginger powder (saunth)

1/8 tsp - cinnamon powder

a generous pinch of nutmeg powder

a generous pinch of balck pepper powder

a couple of cinnamon sticks, green cardamom and cloves to garnish (optional)

a couple of fresh orange pieces to garnish (optional)

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 190C
2. Mix the yogurt, milk and condensed milk together until smooth.Divide it equally into bowls.
3. Add the melted and cooled chocolate and orange zest into one bowl and mix well. Fill this mixture into 2 oven proof bowls/ramekins.
4. Add the powdered spices to the another bowl and mix well. I sieved the mixture and filled it into 2 oven proof bowls/ramekins.
5. Place the bowls/ramekins in a large baking tray. Fill the tray with enough water to come halfway up the sides of the ramekins or dish.Place the tray in the centre of the oven and bake for 35 minutes.(If you are using a large baking dish, it may take longer)
6. I switched off the oven after 35 minutes and left the yogurt in the oven until the oven was cool. Take the bowls out of the oven and cool to room temperature and then let it chill in the fridge. 
7. Garnish the chocolate yogurt with fresh orange pieces, orange rind and roasted almond slivers and the Chai Yogurt with the cinnamon sticks, cardamom pods and cloves and serve.

Note

1. Do not cover the bowls/ramekins/baking dish while baking the yogurt.
2. Traditionally this yogurt is steamed. One can also steam it in a double boiler or a pressure cooker. 
3. Instead of greek yogurt one can also use thick yogurt or, traditionally, hung plain yogurt.
4. Of course, one can add any flavour to this yogurt- fruits, exotic spices, coffee... it's upto your imagination. 

Serves - 4

Cheers!