Everyday recipes
Gulab jaman (fried milk balls)
Serving size: Serves 10 or more
Cuisine type: IndianCooking time: More than 1 hour
Course: Finger food
INGREDIENTS
2 cups caster sugar
2 cups water
8 cardamom pods, bruised
2 cinnamon sticks
3 star anise
½-1 teaspoon of rosewater, to taste
½ cup self-raising flour, sifted
125g spreadable cream cheese
¼ cup full-cream milk powder
6 dried pitted dates, quartered
vegetable oil for deep frying
METHOD
- In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, water and spices. Stir over low heat, without stirring, until sugar dissolves.
- Bring to boil. Boil without stirring for 5 minutes until mixture has thickened slightly. Remove from heat. Blend in rosewater. Cool to room temperature.
- In a medium bowl, combine flour, cheese and milk powder. Using a wooden spoon, mix to a soft dough. Turn onto a lightly floured surface. Knead for 6-8 minutes until smooth. Roll 1 rounded teaspoon of dough around each piece of date.
- Heat oil in a wok or large saucepan on medium. Deep-fry balls in 4 batches, for 2-3 minutes, until golden and cooked through. Drain on paper towel.
- Transfer balls into rosewater syrup. Stand 1 hour before serving.
Top tipIt’s important not to stir the sugar syrup during boiling, to prevent it from crystallising.