GULAB JAMUN OR KALA JAM (WAFFLE BALLS)

Gulab Jamun or Kala Jam (Waffle Balls) image

These are like little waffle balls that sit in and absorb a sugary rosewater syrup. It was first made on the Indian subcontinent, around South Asia. Gulab Juman originated from Luqmat Al-Qadi, an Arabic dessert. This dessert is popular at weddings, Diwali, Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha. There a several different types of jamun with different looks and taste. Serve hot or cold.

Provided by Kristin Rhea Hernbrode

Categories World Cuisine Recipes Asian Bangladeshi

Time 1h17m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 11

Ingredients

2 cups water
2 cups white sugar
½ teaspoon ground cardamom
2 drops rose water
1 pinch saffron
½ cup instant dry milk powder (such as Carnation®)
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
¼ teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon unsalted butter (such as Land O'Lakes®)
2 tablespoons plain yogurt
2 cups vegetable oil for frying

Steps:

Combine water, sugar, cardamom, rose water, and saffron in a saucepan; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until consistency is syrupy, 5 to 10 minutes.
Mix milk powder, flour, and baking soda in a bowl until well-combined. Slowly mix in butter and yogurt until dough comes together. Let gulab dough rest for 5 minutes. Shape into smooth balls the size of pennies.
Heat oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Test the temperature of the oil by dropping in a small piece of dough. When it sits at the bottom of the pan for 1 minute before coming to the surface, the oil is ready.
Fry 4 gulab balls at a time, stirring carefully, until dark golden brown on all sides, about 2 minutes. Drain on a paper-towel lined plate. Repeat with remaining gulab.
Bring syrup back up to a boil and drop in fried gulab. Remove from heat and let them soak in the syrup, covered, 45 minutes to 1 hour.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 186.9 calories, Carbohydrate 36.1 g, Cholesterol 3.2 mg, Fat 4.7 g, Fiber 0.1 g, Protein 1.3 g, SaturatedFat 1.1 g, Sodium 45.1 mg, Sugar 35 g