Master The Art Of Making Rasmalai In Just 5 Steps

Rasmalai is an Indian dessert that embodies richness and delicacy in every bite. It consists of soft, spongy paneer balls, known as rasgullas, soaked in a sweetened, creamy milk infused with cardamom and sometimes saffron.

Rasmalai is a delightful Indian dessert made with soft paneer (Indian cottage cheese) balls soaked in sweetened, flavored milk. Here's a step-by-step recipe to make Rasmalai:

1. Ingredients

For Rasgullas:

- 1 liter full-fat milk

- 2 tablespoons lemon juice or white vinegar

- 1 cup sugar

- 4 cups water

For Milk Syrup:

- 1 liter full-fat milk

- 1/2 cup sugar (adjust to taste)

- 1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder

- A few saffron strands (optional)

- Chopped nuts (almonds, pistachios) for garnish

2. Instructions

Making Rasgullas:

Step 1- Prepare Paneer

- In a heavy-bottomed pan, bring 1 liter of full-fat milk to a boil over medium heat.

- Once boiling, reduce heat and add lemon juice or vinegar gradually, stirring gently.

- The milk will curdle, separating into curds (paneer) and whey (greenish water). If it doesn't fully curdle, add a little more lemon juice/vinegar.

- Turn off the heat once fully curdled. Drain the paneer using a cheesecloth-lined strainer. Rinse with cold water to remove any acidic taste.

- Gather the cloth and squeeze out excess water. Hang it for 30 minutes to drain excess water completely.

Step 2- Make Rasgullas

- Knead the paneer until smooth and divide into small portions. Roll each portion into smooth balls without cracks, then flatten slightly.

- In a wide pot, combine 1 cup sugar and 4 cups of water. Bring to a boil, stirring until sugar dissolves.

- Gently drop the paneer balls into the boiling sugar syrup. Cover and cook on medium heat for about 15 minutes. They will double in size.

- Turn off the heat and let them sit covered for another 10 minutes.

- Take out the rasgullas from the syrup and keep aside.

Making Milk Syrup:

Step 1- Prepare Flavored Milk

- In another wide pan, bring 1 liter of full-fat milk to a boil.

- Add sugar, cardamom powder, and saffron strands (if using). Stir well.

- Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer the milk, stirring occasionally, until it reduces to about half its original volume (takes around 30-40 minutes).

- Stir frequently to prevent sticking to the bottom of the pan.