Ras Malai

Ingredients and Weight:

• Whole milk: 1 gallon
• Cardamom pods: 10
• Bay leaves: 3
• Cinnamon stick: 1 small
• Cloves: 5
• All-purpose flour: 1 cup
• Cornstarch: 1/4 cup
• Baking soda: 1/4 teaspoon
• Yogurt: 1 cup
• Sugar: 1 cup
• Water: 1/2 cup
• Rose water: 1 tablespoon
• Pistachios: 1/2 cup, chopped
• Almonds: 1/2 cup, chopped

Preparation Time:

• 1 hour

Cooking Time:

• 30 minutes

Difficulty Level:

• 3 (Moderate)

Preparation Method Steps:

1. In a large pot, bring milk to a boil over medium heat. Add cardamom pods, bay leaves, cinnamon stick, and cloves. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, and baking soda. Gradually whisk into the milk while stirring constantly.
3. Continue to cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the mixture thickens and resembles pudding.
4. Remove from heat and let cool slightly. Stir in yogurt.
5. In a small saucepan, combine sugar and water. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes, or until the sugar has dissolved and the syrup has thickened slightly.
6. Add rose water to the syrup and stir to combine.
7. Heat a griddle or skillet over medium heat. Drop spoonfuls of the milk and yogurt mixture onto the hot griddle and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden brown.
8. Dip the cooked dumplings into the sugar syrup and let them soak for a few minutes.

Nutritional Information:

• Calories: 250 per serving
• Carbohydrates: 40g
• Protein: 10g
• Fat: 5g
• Cholesterol: 5mg

Dish Characteristics:

• Creamy and velvety texture
• Sweet and aromatic flavor
• Vibrant orange color
• Garnished with chopped pistachios and almonds

User Comments:

• "This was the best Ras Malai I've ever had! It was so light and fluffy, and the syrup was perfectly sweet."
• "I love the combination of flavors in this dish. The cardamom and rose water really come through."
• "It was a bit challenging to make, but the end result was worth it."
• "I'm not a big fan of Indian desserts, but this one was a pleasant surprise."
• "I made this for a dinner party and everyone raved about it."

Special Precautions and Tips:

• If you don't have cardamom pods, you can use 1 teaspoon of ground cardamom instead.
• To prevent the dumplings from sticking to the griddle, make sure the heat is evenly distributed.
• If the sugar syrup starts to crystallize, remove it from the heat and stir in a few drops of lemon juice.