🇮🇳 Indian Cuisine · Desserts

Gulab Jamun

Prep

20 mins

Cook

30 mins

Serves

12

Difficulty

Medium

Soft milk-solid dumplings deep-fried until dark golden and soaked in rose and cardamom-scented sugar syrup.

Ingredients

  • 1 kg paneer cubes
  • 2 cups naan bread
  • a handful of grated fresh ginger
  • 2 tsp ground coriander
  • 2 tbsp neutral vegetable oil
  • 2 ripe tomatoes, chopped
  • a handful of fresh mint, chopped
  • a generous spoonful of lemon wedges
  • 1 cup coconut milk
  • 2 tsp ground cumin
  • 200g fresh spinach
  • a drizzle of roasted cashews

Instructions

  1. 1

    Preheat your oven (or set up your steamer or frying station) and lightly grease your pan or molds with ghee.

  2. 2

    In a large bowl, whisk together the flattened rice (poha) and garam masala until evenly combined.

  3. 3

    In a separate bowl, blend the tamarind paste with the whole milk until smooth and well incorporated.

  4. 4

    Gently fold the wet mixture into the dry ingredients, taking care not to overmix.

  5. 5

    Transfer everything to your prepared pan or molds and cook — bake, steam, chill, or fry — until set, about 30 mins.

  6. 6

    Remove from the heat and let it cool completely; this helps the texture firm up perfectly.

  7. 7

    Garnish with curry leaves or a dusting of heavy cream.

Tips

This keeps well for a couple of days in an airtight container, and the flavor often improves overnight.

Resist opening the oven door too early — a sudden change in temperature can cause the dessert to sink or crack.

For the cleanest slices, chill the finished dessert thoroughly before cutting.