Indian Desserts

How to make Gulab Jamun

Gulab Jamun is a popular dessert in India and other parts of South Asia. It is a fried dough ball soaked in a sweet syrup. Here's a recipe for making Gulab Jamun at home:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup milk powder
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 cup ghee (clarified butter), melted
• 3-4 tablespoons milk, or as needed to make a dough
• Oil or ghee, for frying
• For the syrup:
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup water
• 1/4 teaspoon cardamom powder
• 1 tablespoon rose water (optional)

Instructions:

1. In a mixing bowl, combine the milk powder, all-purpose flour, and baking powder.
2. Add the melted ghee to the bowl and mix until crumbly.
3. Add milk, a tablespoon at a time, and knead to make a smooth, soft dough. The dough should be slightly sticky but not too wet.
4. Divide the dough into small equal-sized balls and roll them between your palms until smooth. Make sure there are no cracks on the surface.
5. Heat the oil or ghee in a deep frying pan on medium-low heat. Test the temperature by dropping a small piece of dough into the oil. If it sizzles and rises to the surface, the oil is ready.
6. Add the balls to the hot oil, a few at a time, and fry until golden brown. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess oil.
7. In a separate saucepan, combine the sugar, water, and cardamom powder. Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook until the sugar has dissolved and the syrup has thickened slightly.
8. Remove the syrup from heat and stir in the rose water, if using.
9. Add the fried Gulab Jamun balls to the hot syrup, making sure they are fully submerged. Let them soak for at least 30 minutes to an hour, or until they have absorbed enough syrup and are soft and spongy.
10. Serve warm or cold, garnished with chopped nuts or rose petals, if desired.

Enjoy your homemade Gulab Jamun!