Indian Desserts – Condensed Happiness
India is renowned for its rich culture, heritage, tradition and delicious food, but at the same time it is the largest sugar consumer in the world.
Sugar has a special place in the Indian kitchen. Every Indian celebration has a mandatory spread of sweet delicacies. There are special sweets that match with specific festivals and occasions.
Indian sweets are mostly sugar-laden desserts dripping with ghee which becomes the starters or desserts for many communities prevailing in various zones.
Thou there are a vast collection of sweets to choose from; circles and diamonds, balls and nuggets, served cold or warm, chunky to soupy, and sometimes even crunchy. But the ones mentioned below are the must-try lip-smacking picks under sweets in India.
Sweet Tooth for the Sweet You!
Gulab Jamun: A deep-fried dumpling dessert made from reduced milk soaked in rose sugar syrup. The sugar syrup is flavored with cardamom seeds or saffron. Gulab Jamun is served either dried or syrup based.
Barfi: Mild flavored fairly low on the sweet scale is made up of condensed milk mixed with sugar is cooked until it forms a thick yet moist paste. Barfi comes in multiple varieties that includes cashews, pistachios, cocoa or dried fruit, added for flavor as well as color. This chewy confectionery is further garnished with silver foil and cut into squares or diamond shapes.
Jalebi : Fermented batter swirled into hot oil to form into rigid golden brown pieces. After frying, these crispy whimsical formations are quickly soaked in clear sugary syrup which gives it an glistening orange hue.
Rasgulla: The soft spongy cheese balls are boiled in a sugar syrup which imparts a milder flavor and surprisingly firmer texture than gulab jamun. Rasgullas soak up a tremendous amount of liquid resulting in each bite squirting with sweet flavor. The Bengali sweet shops are far famed for making Rasgullas.
Rabri: A rich and creamy thick milk based dessert cooked under a low heat to achieve the perfect dense consistency. Sugar, spices and nuts are added for flavor. Enjoy Rabri cold during hot summer months or piping hot during clammy cooler winter times.
Gaajar Ka Halwa: It's a carrot pudding which is a rich tasting dessert that is most often enjoyed warm and also when refrigerated. The carrots are grated and cooked in Ghee along with sugar .This pudding is garnished with nuts and dried fruit. In many get-togethers or parties, this delicacy is served with vanilla ice cream.
Kulfi: Kulfi is the Indian form of ice cream. It has a deep milky flavor which is highlighted by the addition of cardamom. The milk is reduced by boiling and different flavors are added while the boiling process progresses. Saffron can also be added along with rose water to enhance the taste. Kulfi comes in other flavors besides cardamom. The ranges of flavors available are pistachio, apple, mango and many more.
Ras Malai: Ras Malai are dumplings that are made from either cottage or ricotta cheese. The dumplings are soaked in thickened, sweet milk that is flavored with cardamom, pistachio nuts and rose water. This dessert is served chilled.
Kheer: Kheer is a simple rice pudding that is flavored with cardamom. Kheer also contains nuts and usually also contains raisins. This delicacy is mainly prepared during festival time. Rice is boiled in milk with the addition of cashews, raisins and bay leaf. No religious occasion and happy ceremonies is complete without having kheer.
Shahi Tukda: Shahi Tukda is a bread pudding that is loaded with dried fruit and flavored with cardamom. It is made by deep frying bread and then mixing the bread with a rich pudding.
Laddoo: Laddoo is a very popular Indian dessert. An essential part of a social occasion, (well for those who like Ladoo) this dessert has conquered the hearts with its sweet blends. Made of flour and sugar this dessert is served at festive or religious occasions. It is also given as Prashad in the holy places. In either ways, the dessert is a must try for those who want to be happy like a mouse and wise like Ganesha.
Malpua: Malpua are Indian pancakes. They are similar to fritters and served with a syrup. Malpua is made with a mashed fruit, often bananas, mixed with flour, milk and flavoring which is then deep fried and soaked in a syrup before serving.
Gujia: Gujia, also called Nuereos, are made differently throughout India. They are dough that is filled with thickened sweetened milk with nuts. In some areas raisins, coconut and other goodies are added to the filling.
So all the sweet tooth bunnies, there you have it, the top Indian desserts that you must try. They are all delicious and have something special about them. Pump up the sweet spirits and relish the unique flavors of ambrosial Indian desserts that is something you simply cannot pass up.
The happiness you give makes you more happy than the happiness you receive.
No comments:
Post a Comment