Gulab Jamun

Sweets play very important role in any festival or celebration in India. Whether its an Inaugural function or a family reunion nothing is complete without the sweets. They are also given as offerings to the gods. They are prepared with milk mainly along with nuts, dry fruits and sugar but many times flour, coconut and even vegetables like carrots are also used. Anyone who has a sweet tooth cannot resist them.

Ugadi (new year day) is a perfect time to prepare sweets. Traditionaly 'Holige' or 'Obbattu' is made on this day. Since my hubby likes 'Gulab Jamun' very much, I made gulab jamun for this year. There are many ways to prepare this desert. One of which is given below.

INGREDIENTS:

3.2 oz. or 1 cup milk powder,
3 tb sp butter at room temperature,
1/4 cup all purpose flour,
1/4 cup milk,
a pinch of baking soda,
Oil or ghee to deep fry

FOR SYRUP:

2cups sugar,
2 1/4 cups water,
Some rose water or few drops of rose essence (or 2 cardamom pods crushed),
Few strands of saffron soaked in 1 tsp warm water


METHOD OF PREPARATION:

Syrup preparation:

1. Soak saffron in warm water, so that Saffron gives out its color


2. In a thick bottom pan add sugar and water and heat untill the syrup gets glycerin like consistency


3. When the syrup reaches this state, add saffron,rose water(or essence or cardamom). Make sure that the syrup is kept warm till you add the Jamuns to it

Jamun preparation:

1. Mix all the dry ingredients (milk powder,baking soda and flour) in a bowl


2. Add the butter and rub the mixture with hands, so that the butter gets applied well to the dry mixture


3. After butter gets well incorporated,add milk and knead the mixture to a dough .It will be too sticky at the begining. The dough should be soft enough to make round balls out if it. Cover and let it rest for 8-10 minutes


4. Meanwhile heat the oil in a thick bottom pan.Heat on medium for few minutes and then turn to low, as the temperature of the oil/ghee should be very low else gulab jamuns will remain uncooked from inside


5. Divide the dough into equal sized portions and shape into balls (depending on the size, you should be able to make atleast 15 of them). You will notice that the dough is not sticky anymore. If you feel that the dough is getting dry,sprinkle very little milk to fade the dryness


6. Deep fry the portions untill golden brown and drain on a paper towel.Then soak in the sugar syrup for at least 25-30 minutes


7. Before serving decorate the same with some shredded cocunut/pistachio

You can serve this hot/chilled for the desert. Add some ice cream when serving chilled. And ofcourse, Serve with Smile.