Rakhi Special - Desserts And Sweetmeat (Mithais)

Barfi

Ingredients :
4 cups (1 litre) milk
1/4 ci[ (60 grams)sugar
1/2 teaspoon cardamom seeds
20 grams pistachio nuts
20 grams silvered almonds

Preparation :
Place milk in a saucepan and bring to the boil. Reduce heat to low, simmer for 40 minutes or until milk has a porridge-like consistency, stirring frequently. Add sugar, stir over heat until dissolved. Add cardamom, pistachios and almonds. Pour into a greased lamington pan and cool. Cut into diamonds to serve.

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Jalebi

Ingredients :
2 cups (250 grams) plain flour, sifted
water
1 tablespoon plain yoghurt
oil for frying
Syrup
2 cups (500 grams) sugar
2-1/2 cups (625 ml) water
1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
pinch of turmeric

Preparation :
Place flour into a bowl, make a well in the centre, gradually increasing circles from the center. (Alternatively, combine flour and water in a blender or food processor, blend until smooth). Stand 24 hours, stir in yoghurt. Place just sufficient oil in a frying pan to float the jalebis, heat to moderate. Spoon mixture into a piping bag with a 1-1/2 cm lplain tube (place a finger over the hole). Pipe the batter in figure eights or double circles into oil, cook on both sides until golden brown. Remove, place into warm syrup for a few minutes. Drain on absorbent paper. To make syrup: Combine all the ingredients in a saucepan, bring to the boil. Simmer over a low heat for 5 to 10 minutes until a thick syrup is formed. Keep warm until served.

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Pastry Pooris

Ingredients :
4 cups (500 grams) plain or wholemeal flour, sifted
120 grams ghee
Extra ghee for frying
cold water

Preparation :
Place flour in a bowl, rub in ghee. Add enough water to mix to a soft, pliable dough. Knead until smooth. Cover with a damp cloth for an hour, and then knead again until the dough does not stick to the hands. Roll out thinly, cut out circles in the size required. In the center of each piece, place a quantity of whatever filling you are using. Wet the edge of the pastry all round with water, fold in half, press the edges down. Melt extra ghee in a frying pan, add pooris 1 to 3 at a time, cook on both sides until golden brown.