Jalebi Zalabia Or Indian Muffle Cake Recipes

JALEBI /ZALABIA OR INDIAN MUFFLE CAKE

Steps:

• First dissolve the yeast in warm water, stir and let it sit for 5 minutes.
• Mix all purpose flour, gram flour, oil, sugar and a pinch of orange color. Now add the yeast solution and mix it nicely so that there are no lumps.
• Let the batter sit in a warm place for 1 hour to ferment If there is no sun outside then just turn on the oven at 180 degrees F for 5 minutes and then turn it off and keep the batter inside the oven for 1 hour.

JALEBI RECIPE

Steps:

• Add sugar and water to a pot.
• Boil on a medium heat until it reaches a 1 string consistency.
• Take a small portion of the syrup in a spoon. Cool it slightly.
• Take it in between your thumb and fore finger.
• Gently move the fingers away from each other, you must see a single string.
• Pour lemon juice, cardamom powder and saffron. Remove from heat. Stir and set aside.
• If your syrup goes beyond this stage, then sprinkle some water and mix. Recheck for the 1 string consistency.
• A. Method 1: For Instant jalebi : Add maida, cornflour and turmeric to a mixing bowl. Mix everything well until uniform. Next add curd. Pour water & make a thick lump free batter. The batter has to be thick but of flowing consistency. If needed add more water. Beat the batter well with a whisk in one direction in a circular motion for 4 mins. The batter will turn smooth.
• B. Method 2: For fermentation : Mix together maida, besan & turmeric in a bowl. Pour water & make a thick batter of pouring consistency. Cover and ferment for 12 to 24 hours until the batter gets a very mild sour flavor. The batter will not rise, but will have tiny bubbles on top.
• Heat ghee or oil on a medium heat to fry jalebis.
• If using oil, then add 1 to 2 tbsp ghee to the oil. This enhances the flavor.
• Pour 1 tsp lemon juice to the batter & mix. Skip the lemon juice if you have fermented the batter.
• Add soda and mix gently just until combined.
• Check batter consistency: The prepared batter must be smooth free flowing and thick. Spoon just 2 to 3 tbsp of batter to the sauce bottle to check if the consistency is right.
• Next check if the oil is hot enough by dropping a small portion of the batter. It has to come up immediately without browning.
• Now squeeze the bottle gently and move in circular motion to get spiral. If you are getting very thick jalebi, then the batter is thick. Next if you are getting very thin flat jalebis the batter is thin.
• To fix thick batter, add a tbsp or more water. Next to fix thin batter, add a tbsp of maida (all purpose flour). Take a look at the pic in the FAQ section to fix the batter.
• Mix the batter well. Spoon it to the bottle.
• Ensure oil is hot and the flame set to medium high heat.
• Squeeze in the batter gently in circular motions starting from the center moving outside.
• You can also do it the other way. You will get properly shaped ones after making a few.
• While the jalebi is getting fried, check the syrup. It must be slightly hot to warm when the jalebi is dipped into it. If not heat up a bit.
• The last 1 minute, turn the flame to low and fry the jalebi. This helps to make them extra crisp.
• When the jalebi is done it turns crisp. Remove it with a skewer and add to the warm sugar syrup directly.
• Allow to rest for 2 mins. Remove to a plate. Continue to make more jalebis.
• Serve jalebi hot.

JALEBI

Steps:

• First, make the syrup. Put the sugar and 100ml water in a pan set over a medium heat. When the sugar has dissolved, add the saffron and bring to the boil. Continue to boil for 5-6 mins until thickened and syrupy - the consistency should be like honey. Remove from the heat and add the cardamom and lemon juice - the lemon juice prevents the sugar crystallising. Set aside.
• For the batter, put all the ingredients except the baking powder and bicarb, in a large bowl. Slowly add 150ml water and whisk for a few minutes until smooth, then add the baking powder and bicarb and stir well - it should be as thick as pancake batter. Pour into a squeeze bottle with a narrow tip, or spoon into a piping bag and snip off the tip so you have a small opening. Pour the oil into a large heavy-bottomed saucepan until it's no more than two-thirds full and heat to 170-180C, or until a drop of the batter sizzles when added.
• Carefully squeeze or pipe swirls of the batter directly into the hot oil - do this in batches (you should be able to fry four or five at once). Fry for 1-2 mins on each side until golden. Remove the jalebi with a slotted spoon to a plate lined with kitchen paper to drain, then, while still warm, dip in the syrup using tongs or a fork, turning to coat. Sprinkle over the flaked almonds or chopped pistachios. Serve straightaway or leave to cool.