Saturday, March 23, 2013

Jangiri | Homemade Jangiri | Diwali Sweets

Jangiri, a delicious South Indian sweet made from deep frying urad dal batter and then soaked in saffron/rose flavored sugar syrup. Without a second doubt, i can say making jangiri is an art.  Squeezing the batter directly in hot oil and making those beautiful flower shapes is such an intricate work for sure. But with practise and little patience, anyone can make those gorgeous looking jangiri !! 
Last week when I thought of updating this jangiri post, I realized that video recipe would be much more helpful than the regular pictures for making jangiri, so shoot a video while making them and in less than two days, here I'm with the post with a completely edited video and updated post. Surely, it's a Deepavali Miracle !!!  
Before moving to the recipe, like always, I have answered some FAQs. So check it out if you're a beginner or new in making this sweet.

What is the difference between jangiri & jalebi?
Jangiri is made from freshly made urad dal batter whereas jalebi is made from the fermented maida/all purpose flour batter. Rest of the steps of both recipes are more or less the same.

Why does my jangiri have the urad dal smell?
It's a common issue while making jangiri. Using good quality rose essence/saffron (whichever you're using) helps to eliminate the strong urad dal flavor and gives you that sweet stall style flavor. 
Why doesn't my jangiri absorb the sugar syrup?
Don't over cook the sugar syrup, sticky consistency is enough. Both jangiri and syrup should be warm for easy absorbing,so heat the syrup as needed.
Why does my jangiri absorb so much oil ?
Too much oil in the batter. Add an extra few tsp of rice flour, but don't over do it. It will affect the softness of the jangiri in the end. 
Why can't I squeeze the batter into proper shape ?
  1. Make sure to keep the flame in low.
  2. The oil should be mildly heated. That means, if you add a pinch of batter in the oil, it takes at least 2 to 3 secs to come up, else if it immediately comes up, the oil is way too heated for making jangiri.
  3. The batter should be smooth and fluffy.
  4. Practise, Practise & Practise !!! Reserve a handful of urad dal batter(it should be thick) when you idli/dosa batter and try it for a couple of times, then you get the knack of it. 
How do I store and how long ?
Put it in a closed container. It stays good for up to 7 days at room temperature.  For more shelf life, I would recommend refrigerating !!

Now let's check out on how to make jangiri and don't forget to watch the video too !!!


Ps : In the old pic, i have used orange food color and in the new pictures and video i have used red food color,so it's more of pinkish red !! 

Jangiri

Preparation Time : 1 hr | Cooking Time : 20 minsServes : 20 
Recipe Category: Sweet | Recipe Cuisine: Indian
Jangiri,Home made Jangiri, Soft Jangiri, Juicy Jangiri,Diwali Sweet Jangiri, a delicious Indian sweet made from deep frying urad dal batter and then soaked in saffron/rose flavored sugar syrup.
Ingredients

Urad Dal - 1 cup
Sugar - 1 cup
Orange food color - pinch
Rose water - 4 or 5 drops
Rice flour - 2 or 3 tbsp
Lemon Juice-1 tbsp
Water- as required




Procedure
Soak the urad dal for 2 hrs and grind into fine paste using very little water just like the batter for vadas.The batter should be fluffy and smooth like butter.Add a pinch of food color and rice flour into batter and mix it well. 
Pierce a small hole in the ziplog/plastic bag with a needle and put the batter into it.
Add the sugar in a sauce pan and immerse it with water and allow to boil.Once it reaches the thick consistency add rose water,food color,lemon juice and switch it off
Heat the wide pan in smaller flame and add a inch of oil.Once the oil heated is  slightly warm,squeeze the jangiri  directly in the oil.

Cook the jangiri until it become crispy ,remove it and put it in sugar syrup for approx 1 min.
Once  it absorbs the sugar syrup remove it and arrange it in plate.

Tasty and juicy Jangiri ready !!

Notes:
  • Stays well for days at room temperature
  • Store it in air tight container once it's completely cooled.

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Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Mint Squash

Mint Squash, a refreshing and delicious mint flavored drink. I love the flavor of mint, so i used to buy a bunch of mint leaves whenever we go to farmer's market.

Usually i make mint chutney or mint rice. For a change i tried this squash(i saw it in some cookery show )a while ago and we really liked this a lot.The mint flavor came out very well in this squash. If you like mint flavor,give it a try.


Mint Squash

Preparation Time : 1 hr | Cooking Time : 20 minsServes :
Recipe Category: Drink | Recipe Cuisine: Indian
Mint Squash, Summer Drink description.
Ingredients

Mint leaves - 1/2 cup(tightly packed)
Water - 1 cup
Sugar - 1/2 cup
Lemon salt -a generous pinch
Food color(apple green) - a pinch(optional)

Procedure

Clean and wash the mint leaves . In a sauce pan heat the water and sugar, once the sugar syrup reach thick consistency add the mint leaves and close it with lid

Keep the mint leaves in sugar syrup for atleast 4 to 6 hrs until the mint leaves flavor extract into the sugar syrup.

After that remove the mint leaves using strainer.Then add lemon salt(lemon salt is used to preserve ,if you consume within a day or two,ignore it) and food color(totally optional)and mix it well.

Store it in sterilized bottle and use it whenever you want. Take 1/4th of glass with squash and fill the remaining with chilled water and some ice cubes.

Tada, your delicious mint squash is ready to serve.

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