Rasmalai

Rasmalai is an Indian sweet made with Milk. The milk is curdled and the cheese is collected and drained of any whey. It is then made into small balls and cooked. These balls are then soaked in reduced milk flavored with cardamom and saffron. You will definitely fall in love with this sweet in first bite. It is also very easy to make at home and the result is wonderful. Do give it a try. Here is the recipe.

All you need is

Full cream milk - 3 lt ( preferably cow's milk )
Lemon juice - 3 tsp
Arrowroot powder - 4 tsp
Baking soda - a pinch
Sugar - 1 and 1\2 cups and 1\4 cup
Water - 4 cups
Cardamom - 2-3  ( crushed )
Cashew nut - 2 tbsp
Cardamom powder - 1 tsp
Saffron - a good pinch
Rose water - 1\2 tsp
Yellow food color - a small pinch
Dry fruits slivers for garnishing

Method of preparation

Heat 2 lt milk in a pan.
Switch off the heat when it comes to a boil.
Add lemon juice.
The milk will curdle immediately.
Let it rest for 5 minutes.
Drain the curdled milk in a cheese cloth.
Wash the cheese under running water to remove the traces of lemon juice.
Hang the cheese cloth for an hour to drain all the whey from the cheese.

Mean while, heat the remaining 1 lt milk in a heavy bottom pan.
Add saffron and yellow food coloring.
Cook on low heat, till milk is reduced to half.
Blend sugar and cashew nuts in a blender.
Add in the reduced milk.
Add rose water and cardamom powder.
Mix well.
Keep the milk aside.

Remove the chenna from the cheese cloth.
Add arrowroot powder and baking soda.
Knead the chenna with your palms for 6-8 minutes.
Make 12-14 equal size balls from the chenna.
Flatten the balls a little bit.
Heat 1 and 1\2 cup sugar and water in a pressure cooker.
When the water comes to a rolling boil, add the chenna balls.
Do not over crowd the cooker.
The balls should not touch each other.
Put the lid with the whistle and cook on high heat till 2 whistles.
let the cooker cool on it's own.
Open the cooker and take out the rasmalai gently and add in the reduced milk.
Make all the rasmalai in the same fashion.
Add 2-3 tbsp water every time before adding the balls  in the cooker.
Refrigerate the rasmalai for at least 5-6 hours before serving.
Garnish with dry fruits slivers before serving.