Gulab Jamun is an Indian desser which is a deep-fried milk dough balls soaked in a homemade chashni sugar syrup flavored with rose water.
Conventional Gulab Jamun recipe contains too much fat. In our recipe, we have reduced the fat content significantly. But still, you should eat in limit if you are watching your weight or you have high cholesterol.
1.5 cup Skim milk powder (you can instead use mawa. See Note below.)
175 ml Skim cream
0.5 cup Self raising flour (or plain flour, i.e. maida & 1/8 tsp sodium bicarbonate)
20-22 Cardamom seeds
20-22 Pistachios without skin
Canola oil
250 gram Sugar
Water, 300 ml
a few drops of rose essense
Preparation
Mix milk powder and the self raising flour (or plain flour & sodium bicarbonate). Gradually add cream and gently form a soft dough.
Divide the dough into 20-22 parts and make each into a smooth round shape ball without any crack. This can be done by moving the balls in between palms of both hands with some pressure. Remember to place one pistachio and one cardamom seed into each ball. Cover lightly with a damp cloth until all balls are done.
Heat oil (about 250 gram) in a deep pan. Test the oil temperaure by adding one ball. It should first go down to the bottom of the pan and then rise slowly to the surface. If it rises too fast, the oil needs to cool. If the jamun does not rise, it needs more heating. Deep fry all the jamuns, about 5 at a time, on low heat to a golden brown color. Place all the jamuns on a kitchen towel to soak any extra oil.
Prepare a chasni syrup of 2 threads by dissolving 150 gram sugar in about 175 ml water. Bring the water to boil and simmer for 8-10 minutes. Add rose essense.
Immerse the jamuns in hot syrup for 30 minutes.
Serve Gulab Jamun hot or cold. Note:
If the gulab jamuns are hard, then microwave them for a few seconds before serving to get spongy jamuns.
In the traditional method of making gulab jamuns, mawa or khoya is added instead of milk and milk powder. But if you don't get mawa in your country, then use the above method. It gives gulab jamuns better than haldiram Jamuns or of any other make.