Strain the cottage cheese and wash it under running water. Hung it in a muslin cloth and leave it for a couple of hours so that excess water drains out.

Chop the cashew nuts and slightly roast them to enhance their nutty flavor. Keep aside.

Break the dark chocolate slab into pieces and melt it in the famous double boiler method. Maintain a low heat to melt the chocolate gently.

Once the chocolate is melted add in cocoa powder and rum. Fold them together.

Back to the cottage cheese. Now the crucial task comes in. KNEADING. Knead. Knead. Knead. Tip the cheese onto a clean surface and knead till you get a fine paste. Knead pushing the cheese away with the heel of your palm. The more you knead the better. Once satisfied move on.

Add the chocolate mixture to the cottage cheese along with the condensed milk. Remember the condensed milk is extremely sweet so you do not need any sugar or sweetener. Mix together.

Cook the mixture in a heavy bottomed pan. (Heavy bottomed is again crucial else the mixture will burn) Cook until the mixture comes together and leaves the side of the pan. The final mixture will hold together and can be shaped.

Cool the mixture to room temperature. Make small balls out of it and flatten them slightly from the top so that they look like disc. Voila !! Your sandesh is ready.