What is Ras Malai?
Ras Malai is a popular Indian dessert that is made from cheese dumplings soaked in sweetened, flavored milk. It is a rich and creamy dessert that is often served chilled. The name “Ras Malai” is derived from two Hindi words: “Ras” meaning juice or syrup, and “Malai” meaning cream. This dessert is known for its soft and spongy texture, as well as its deliciously sweet taste.
Ingredients for Ras Malai
To make Ras Malai, you will need the following ingredients:
- 1 liter of full-fat milk
- 1 cup of sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon of cardamom powder
- 1 tablespoon of rose water
- 1 cup of water
- 1/4 cup of chopped pistachios
- 1/4 cup of chopped almonds
- 1/4 cup of saffron strands
- 2 tablespoons of condensed milk
- 1 tablespoon of cornflour
How to Make Ras Malai
Follow these steps to make delicious Ras Malai:
Step 1: Making the Cheese Dumplings
- Start by bringing the milk to a boil in a large pan. Once it comes to a boil, reduce the heat to low and add the lemon juice or vinegar.
- Stir the milk gently until it curdles and the whey separates from the curd. This should take about 5-7 minutes.
- Line a strainer with a muslin cloth and pour the curdled milk into it. Rinse the curdled milk under cold water to remove any traces of lemon juice or vinegar.
- Gather the edges of the muslin cloth and squeeze out any excess water from the curdled milk. Hang the muslin cloth for about 30 minutes to drain any remaining water.
- Once the excess water has drained, transfer the curdled milk to a large plate or bowl. Knead the curdled milk with your hands until it forms a smooth dough-like consistency.
- Divide the dough into small equal-sized portions and shape them into small dumplings. Make sure there are no cracks in the dumplings.
Step 2: Preparing the Sweetened Milk
- In a separate pan, bring the water to a boil. Add the sugar and stir until it dissolves completely.
- Once the sugar has dissolved, add the cardamom powder and rose water to the pan. Stir well to combine the flavors.
- Add the cheese dumplings to the sweetened milk and cook them on medium heat for about 15-20 minutes. Make sure to gently stir the dumplings occasionally to prevent them from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
- After 15-20 minutes, the dumplings will become soft and spongy. At this point, add the chopped pistachios, almonds, saffron strands, condensed milk, and cornflour to the pan. Stir well to combine all the ingredients.
- Cook the mixture for another 5 minutes, or until the milk thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon.
- Remove the pan from the heat and let the Ras Malai cool to room temperature. Once cooled, refrigerate it for at least 2 hours before serving.
Serving and Enjoying Ras Malai
Ras Malai is best served chilled. You can garnish it with additional chopped pistachios and almonds before serving. The creamy and flavorful milk, combined with the soft and spongy cheese dumplings, makes Ras Malai a truly indulgent dessert. It is often enjoyed on special occasions and festivals in India, and is loved by people of all ages.
Variations of Ras Malai
While the traditional Ras Malai recipe is delicious on its own, there are also some variations of this dessert that you can try:
- Dry Fruit Ras Malai: Add a mixture of chopped dry fruits like cashews, raisins, and dates to the sweetened milk for an extra crunch and flavor.
- Mango Ras Malai: Replace the traditional sweetened milk with a mango-flavored milk to give the dessert a fruity twist.
- Chocolate Ras Malai: Add cocoa powder or melted chocolate to the sweetened milk for a rich and chocolaty flavor.
Conclusion
Ras Malai is a delightful Indian dessert that is loved for its creamy texture and sweet taste. Whether you enjoy it as a special treat or serve it at festive occasions, Ras Malai is sure to leave you craving for more. With its simple ingredients and easy-to-follow recipe, you can now recreate this delicious dessert in your own kitchen. So go ahead, indulge in a bowl of Ras Malai and savor the flavors of India.