MINIATURE MULTI-HUED PANEER CHEESE BALLS

Steps:

• 1. Prepare the paneer cheese in advance. Then, place the paneer cheese in a food processor and process until it's smooth and starts to gather into a soft and pliable dough (just before it forms a ball). Remove and divide the dough equally into 4 portions. Mix 1 portion with 2 drops red food coloring, 1 with 2 drops yellow food coloring, and 1 with 2 drops green food coloring, and leave 1 portion white. Make 20 balls, about 1/3 inch around, from each portion, being sure to keep each ball free from cracks.2. Dissolve the sugar in the water and divide evenly into 4 portions. Working with each portion separately, place in a pressure cooker, along with 2 cardamom pods and 1 drop of matching food coloring. Secure the lid of the pressure cooker, place it over high heat, and cook until the regulator indicates high pressure, then cook about 30 to 40 seconds. Remove from the heat and allow the pot to depressurize on its own, 12 to 15 minutes.3. Carefully open the lid of the pressure cooker and bring to a boil once again over high heat. Continue to boil until most of the water evaporates, 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl, add 1 drop rose essence, and set aside to cool. Repeat this procedure with each color, transferring each to a separate bowl. Then cover each bowl and refrigerate 6 hours to chill. Transfer to a serving plate, arranging the colors separately or tossing them together, and serve.From "1,000 Indian Recipes." Copyright 2002 by Neelam Batra. Used with permission of the publisher, Wiley Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved.