Rasgulla is a popular Indian dessert made from soft, spongy cheese balls soaked in sugar syrup. A step-by-step guide to making Rasgulla:
Rasgulla Recipe
Ingredients you'll need:
For the Rasgulla:
- 1 liter of full-fat milk
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice or white vinegar
- 1/4 cup semolina (sooji)
- A pinch of baking soda
- Ice-cold water
- 1 teaspoon cardamom powder (optional)
For the Sugar Syrup:
- 1 cup sugar
- 3 cups water
- A few saffron strands (optional)
Step 1: Make Paneer (Cheese)
1. In a large pan, bring the milk to a boil.
2. As the milk begins to boil, add lemon juice or white vinegar, and stir. The milk will curdle.
3. Once the whey (greenish liquid) separates from the curdled milk, turn off the heat.
4. Strain the curdled milk through a muslin cloth or a fine sieve, separating the cheese (paneer) from the whey. Rinse the paneer under cold water to remove any lemon or vinegar taste.
5. Squeeze out excess water and hang the paneer in the muslin cloth for about 30 minutes to drain any remaining water.
Step 2: Prepare the Dough
1. In a mixing bowl, take the paneer, semolina, and a pinch of baking soda.
2. Knead these ingredients together to form a smooth and soft dough. This can take about 10-15 minutes of kneading.
Step 3: Make Cheese Balls
1. Divide the dough into small, equal-sized portions.
2. Roll each portion into smooth balls without any cracks. This step is crucial for achieving spongy Rasgullas.
Step 4: Prepare Sugar Syrup
1. In a wide and deep pan, add sugar and water. Heat this mixture over medium heat, stirring until the sugar completely dissolves.
2. Let the syrup come to a boil. Add a few saffron strands for flavor and color (optional).
Step 5: Cook the Rasgullas
1. Gently slide the cheese balls into the boiling sugar syrup.
2. Cover the pan with a lid and let the Rasgullas cook on medium-high heat for about 20-25 minutes.
3. The Rasgullas will puff up and become spongy during the cooking process.
Step 6: Cool and Serve
1. Once cooked, remove the Rasgullas from the heat and allow them to cool in the sugar syrup.
2. As they cool, they will absorb the sugar syrup and become sweet and spongy.
3. Serve Rasgullas chilled or at room temperature. Optionally, sprinkle some cardamom powder for added flavor.
Step 7: Enjoy!
1. Your homemade Rasgullas are ready to be enjoyed as a delightful Indian dessert.
Rasgullas are a delectable treat that's sure to be appreciated by anyone with a sweet tooth.