Gulab Jamun

Gulab Jamun is easily the most popular and loved dessert in India.  Gulab jamun is best described as an Indian version of a donut immersed in a sweet syrup.  Gulab jamun recipe is especially dear to me as it was my very first video showcased on You Tube.  To be frank, I never dreamed that I would still be doing what I love seven years later.  Not everyone can say they are truly following their passion.  So in this spirit I decided I would present another version of Gulab Jamun.  This recipe is simpler than my original recipe, but still delicious.

Preparation time 15 minutes

Cooking time 20 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup nonfat milk powder
• 1/4 cup all purpose flour (plain flour, maida)
• 1/8 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 cup heavy cream, use as needed
• 1/4 teaspoon cardamom coarsely ground

For Syrup

• 1-1/2 cup sugar
• 1-1/2 cup water

Other

• Oil to fry

Method

For Syrup

1. In a pan add water, sugar bring it to boil, stir until the sugar has dissolved. Turn off the heat. Set aside.

For Gulab Jamun

1. In a bowl, mix milk powder, all purpose flour, baking soda, and cardamom add cream and mix it well. This will be consistency of soft dough, if it is too dry add 1 to 2 spoons of milk as needed not the cream. Dough should be very soft and sticking to fingers, as dough sits milk powder will absorb the extra cream. Cover and set aside for about 10 minutes.
2. Knead the dough; grease your palm before working the dough.
3. Divide the dough into 18 equal parts and roll them into round balls.
4. Heat the oil in a frying pan on medium heat. The frying pan should have at least 1 inch of oil. Notes: To test if the oil is the right temperature, place a small piece of dough into the oil; oil should sizzle but it should take about 30 seconds to rise the dough. If dough rises faster, oil is too hot; if dough just sits without rising, oil is not hot enough.
5. Place the gulab Jamuns in the frying pan. Note: remember gulab jamuns will expand in about double the size, so give them enough space, and don’t over crowed them.
6. It should take about 7 minutes to fry the gulab jamuns. While frying keep rolling the gulab jamuns so they are evenly browned. You can make gulab jamuns in different size and shapeFry until the gulab jamuns become brown.
7. Let the gulab jamuns cool off for a few minutes before placing them in the hot syrup, not boiling.
8. The gulab jamuns should sit in the syrup for at least 20 minutes prior to serving.

Additional Tips

1. If the gulab jamuns are fried on high heat, they will become hard inside and not fully cooked.
2. Too much baking soda will cause the gulab jamuns to get too soft or they will break apart when frying.
3. Don’t place the gulab jamuns in the syrup immediately after frying. This will cause the gulab jamuns to lose their shape and become chewy.