Make one of India’s most cherished festival desserts, gulab jamun. These fried dumplings are scented with cardamom and steeped in rose and saffron syrup
Prep:35 mins
Makes 16 (serves 6-8)
For the syrup4 green cardamom pods, lightly squashed with the side of a knife600g caster sugarfew drops rosewater¼ tsp saffron strands, soaked in 2 tbsp warm water for 1 hr2 tsp chopped pistachios
STEP 1To make the syrup, gently heat the cardamom, sugar and 500ml water in a saucepan. Don’t let the water boil before the sugar has dissolved. Simmer for 10 mins, then cool.STEP 2Gradually add the rosewater, saffron and a little of its soaking liquid until you have a subtly flavoured syrup. Set aside.STEP 3To make the gulab jamun, use a pestle and mortar to grind together the cardamom and sugar until fine.STEP 4Sieve the milk powder, flour and baking powder into a mixing bowl and stir in the cardamom and sugar mixture. Rub in the 50g ghee or butter using your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.STEP 5Add the yogurt, lemon juice and enough milk to form a soft dough, taking care not to overwork the mixture.STEP 6Oil your hands with a little sunflower oil and shape small portions of the dough into walnut-sized balls, about 3cm in diameter and 20g each. Make sure the dumplings are smooth and have no cracks or folds.STEP 7Reheat the syrup until it comes to the boil, then turn off the heat and cover with a lid.STEP 8Heat the 1kg ghee in a wok or karahi to 130C or until a small piece of dough dropped in turns golden in 40 seconds. Fry the balls, in batches, over a medium heat for 5-7 mins, moving them around until they are an even, deep brown. Remove from the saucepan using a slotted spoon, then drain on kitchen paper. Add to the warm syrup, leaving them to soak for 2-3 hrs or preferably overnight.STEP 9When ready to eat, warm the gulab jamun through in a wide saucepan, spooning over the syrup. Serve piping hot with the pistachios scattered over.
