Rasamalai

Delicious mouth watering rasamalai ready to eat

Making Rasamalai (or Rasmalai) was my first challenge in kitchen after marriage, as it was my husband's favorite. After many trials and errors I perfected the recipe and got compliments both from my husband and other friends. It is again a twelve year old recipe. The recipe is little bit involving, but the end result will make you feel every bit worth it.

I have tried the rasamalai from restaurants and prepacked ones from grocery stores and felt that the "ras" is too sweet and less fresh. There is no comparison to homemade sweet. Also I don't use all-purpose flour which is makes it more healthy. What a best recipe(milk based) to make for Gokulashtami or for Diwali.

Boil until milk is reduced to half the amount

Ras Preparation time: 15 - 20 min
Malai Preparation time: 30 min
Serving size: 25 rasamalais (cherry size)

Note 

• The whole preparation time can be reduced to 30 minutes if ras and malai prep are done in parallel

Ingredients

• Milk - 8 cups
• Roasted nuts - 1 fistful
• Elaichi/Cardamom - 4 nos
• Saffron - few
• Sugar - 1 cup( varies based on how sweet you like it)
• Lemon - 1 no

Note

• I used 2% milk, you can also use whole milk.
• You can use nuts like almond, cashew or pistachio.

Ras Preparation

Curdle milk and filter the malai

1. On low- medium heat, in a heavy bottomed vessel, boil 2 cups of milk with 1/2 cup of sugar (add more if you want it more sweet) until the milk reduces to about 1/2 the amount i.e. about 1 cup. 
2. Powder 2 elaichis/cardamoms and add it to the boiling milk.
3. Grind the roasted nuts coarsely.
4. When you are ready to remove the "ras",  add powdered nuts to the boiled milk. Let it boil for another 2 minutes after which you can remove from the stove and allow it to cool.
   

Malai Balls Preparation

Be gentle when rolling the balls to keep the round shape

1. You can do this in parallel when the milk for "ras" is boiling to save time.
2. On low-medium heat, in a heavy bottomed vessel, boil 6 cups of milk. 
3. Once the milk starts boiling, add 1 tbsp of lemon juice so that the milk curdles and separates out into the malai.
4. Filter all the water out of the malai and squeeze out as much water from the malai. You can use a tea filter or muslin cloth to drain the water.
5. Add the malai to a mixie/blender(preferably use a small jar) and give it a twirl for just 5 secs. This step is to make the malai soft.
6. Make balls out of the malai about the size of a cherry. When starting, it is better to start with this size. Later when you are familiar with this process, you can increase the size.
7. Boil 2 cups of water in a vessel along with 1/3 cup of sugar and 2 elaichis/cardamom that has been powdered.
8. Add the balls and cook until the balls come floating up, roughly 5 - 10 minutes. Take care not to add too many balls at one time, otherwise the balls will lose their round shape.
9. Carefully remove the balls and add to the "ras" that has been cooling.
10. Sprinkle some saffron on the top and serve the amazingly delicious rasamalai.

Nutritional facts

Serve the mouth watering rasamalai !

Rasamalai is delicious and nutritional dessert, specially for kids. The calcium in milk helps keep both teeth and bones strong.  The amino acid in milk moisturizes the skin. Rich in protein, milk helps rejuvenate the body. Nuts are rich in fiber and have omega-3 fatty acids to improve heart health. Cardamom is good for digestion and keeps your mind active and fresh. Saffron helps improve eyesight for young and aged people.

Try the rasamalai on a special day or on a weekend and enjoy the dessert with your family. Let me know how your family likes it.....

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