JALEBI

Jalebi is a sweet made from Maida flour, commonly prepared in Pakistan.
It is made by deep-fried, syrup-soaked batter and shaped into a large, chaotic pretzel shape.
Jalebis are bright orange or yellow in colour, but are also available in white.



INGREDIENTS:

2 cups All purpose flour (maida)
1.1/2 tbsp fine grained semolina or rice flour
1/4th tsp baking powder
2 tbsp curd (plain yogurt)
1.1/4th cups warm water
1/2 tsp saffron threads, slowly dry-roasted and powdered
3 cups sugar
22/3rd cups water
1/2 tsp green cardamom seeds powder
1.1/2 tbsp kewra water or rose water
Ghee or vegetable oil for frying



DIRECTIONS:

* Mix the flour, semolina or rice flour, baking powder, curd and 3/4th cup of the water in a bowl (preferably a ceramic bowl).
Mix well with a whisk.
* Mix well and then add remaining water and 1/8th tsp. of saffron powder, and whisk until smooth.
* Set aside for about 2 hours to ferment.
* Whisk thoroughly before use.
* Prepare one string syrup by dissolving sugar in the water. Just before the syrup is ready add saffron and cardamom powder.
* Heat oil in a kadhai. Pour the batter in a steady stream [Use Bottle with a Hole or Plain Cloth with a Hole] into the kadhai to form
coils. Make a few at a time.
* Deep fry them until they are golden and crisp all over but not brown.
* Remove from the kadhai and drain on kitchen paper and immerse in the syrup.
* Leave for at least 4-5 minutes so that they soak the syrup.
* Take the jalebi out of syrup.

Serve Hot!