Once you taste this Homemade Gulab Jamun Recipe, you are going to be in taste bud heaven. They are so yummy and have the best texture and flavor I have ever had.
Ingredients
For the Sugar Syrup:
1 ½cupsgranulated sugar
3/4cupwater
Few saffron strands
4green cardamom pods, cracked open
2tablespoonsrose-water, 1-2 drops if using essence
For the Dough Balls:
1cupmilk powder
1/4cupall-purpose flour
1/4teaspoonbaking powder
1/8teaspoonsbaking soda
10-12mixed nuts, cashews, almonds & pistachios
1/4teaspoongreen cardamom powder
3tablespoonghee, or unsalted butter, melted and the cooled to room temperature
1/4cupwhole milk, at room temperature
Oil for deep-frying
Nuts for garnish
Instructions
For the Syrup: In a large sauce pan, bring water, sugar, cardamom pods to a boil. Let the syrup simmer for 1 minute then remove from heat. (The syrup should still be a little liquidy and not too thick.) Let the syrup sit for 5 minutes, then add saffron strands and rose water; cover and set aside.
For the Dough Balls: Place mixed nuts in a spice grinder and grind them into a fine powder (you should have about 2 tablespoons); set aside
In a large bowl, sift together the milk powder, flour, baking powder, baking soda, green cardamom powder and ground nuts. Add the melted ghee (or butter) to the flour mixture and rub between hands so that the mix is moistened. Start adding milk and mixing simultaneously to make a soft dough (The dough will be sticky). Cover the bowl with a cloth and let the dough sit for 5 minutes.
Add enough oil to a deep-sided pan to cover the balls completely while deep-frying. Attach a candy thermometer to the side of the pan and heat over medium heat until the oil reaches 350 degrees F.
While the oil is heating, divide the dough into 20 equal parts and roll into small, smooth balls. (The balls will double up after frying and soaking in syrup so do not make big balls.) Keep the rolled balls covered with a moist cloth until ready to fry.
Meanwhile if your sugar syrup is cold or luke warm, put it on stove again so that it warms up.You want the sugar syrup warm (not hot). Once warm, transfer the syrup to a bowl big enough to keep the fried balls completely submerged in the syrup.
Carefully add a few dough balls to the oil, being careful not to crowd the pan, and fry, turning frequently, until golden brown. Using a slotted spoon, remove the balls from the oil and place into the warm syrup. Allow the fried balls to soak in the syrup for at least 30 minutes (or up to 20 days) before serving.
The Gulab Jamuns are best served warm. Microwave until warm, about 10-15 seconds and place in individual serving bowls with a few tablespoons of syrup and nuts garnish.