Gulab Jamun

Cooking time: 1 hr

Serves: 6-8

Ingredients

For the Gulab Jamun:

- 200g of khoya (milk solids)

- 50g of all-purpose flour (maida)

- 1/4tsp of baking powder

- A pinch of cardamom powder

- A pinch of saffron strands (optional)

- Ghee or oil for deep frying

For the Sugar Syrup:

- 250g of sugar

- 250ml of water

- A few drops of rose water

- A few strands of saffron (optional)

Method

- In a large mixing bowl, crumble the khoya into small pieces.

- Add all-purpose flour, baking powder, cardamom powder, and saffron strands (if using) to the bowl. Mix well to incorporate all the ingredients.

- Knead the mixture into a soft and smooth dough. If the dough feels dry, you can add a little milk or water.

- Divide the dough into small portions and shape each portion into a smooth ball. Make sure there are no cracks on the surface of the balls.

- In a deep pan or kadai, heat ghee or oil over medium heat for deep frying. The ghee or oil should be moderately hot.

- Meanwhile, in a separate pan, prepare the sugar syrup by combining sugar and water. Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar dissolves completely.

- Once the sugar syrup comes to a boil, reduce the heat to low and simmer it for a few minutes until it thickens slightly. Add rose water and saffron strands (if using) to the syrup. Mix well and keep it warm on low heat.

- Fry the prepared Gulab Jamun balls in the hot ghee or oil. Fry them on low to medium heat until they turn golden brown and evenly cooked. Flip them occasionally for even frying. Fry them in small batches to maintain the temperature of the ghee or oil.

- Once fried, remove the Gulab Jamun balls from the ghee or oil using a slotted spoon and drain them on a kitchen paper towel to remove excess oil.

- Transfer the fried Gulab Jamun balls into the warm sugar syrup. Let them soak in the syrup for at least 30 minutes to 1 hour before serving.

- Serve the Gulab Jamun warm or at room temperature, along with a little syrup, as a delightful sweet treat.

Note: Gulab Jamun is a popular Indian sweet and is often served during festivals, weddings, and special occasions. Adjust the sweetness of the sugar syrup according to your taste preferences. Store any leftovers in the refrigerator and consume within a day or two. Enjoy the soft and syrup-soaked Gulab Jamun!