Monday, May 17, 2010

Ras Malai for ICC

Ras Malai is my favorite Indian dessert. So when Srivalli announced this month's challenge I was so excited. Soft paneer balls soaked in sweetened and thickened milk (Ras) flavored with cardamom -  a treat to the taste buds. So when I tried this out Sunday, I was full of enthusiasm. Anyways my paneer balls did not turn out to be that soft :-(. Once I tasted my Ras Malai, I started doing more research to find out what went wrong. My finding is that the content of water in the paneer should not be more nor less, to make the paneer balls with the proper consistency. I think I squeezed too much water from my paneer. Anyways the Ras was excellent. Next time I will make sure I leave enough water in the paneer to make softer and smoother balls.


For making the Paneer balls
Whole Milk- 1 litre
Lemon Juice- 3 tbsp
Maida- 1 tsp
Water- 1.5 cups
Sugar- 4 tbsp

1. Boil the milk in a vessel.
2. When the milk starts to boil, add the lemon juice and let the milk curdle.
3. Use a muslin cloth or strainer and separate the milk solids from the whey water.
4. Let it drain for 30 minutes to remove water and squeeze extra water as needed.
5. Now knead the paneer with maida to make a smooth dough.Add additional whey water if needed to make it smooth.
6. Make 7-8 balls out of this dough and slightly flatten it. Make sure that the balls are smooth and not broken.
7. In a pressure cooker boil water and add sugar.
8. When the water starts to boil, add the paneer balls and cook until 2 whistles or for 10 minutes and turn off the stove.

For making the Rasa/Syrup
Milk- 3 cups
Saffron- a large pinch
Sugar- 4 tbsp
Cardamom- 1 (powdered)

1. Boil the milk and add the Sugar and Saffron.
2. Keep boiling and stirring until the milk is reduced to half; may take 20-30 minutes.
3. Stir in the Cardamom powder.

Garnish
Pista- 5-6 (chopped)

1. Open the pressure cooker, when the pressure is completely gone and take out the paneer balls.
2. Squeeze the paneer balls slightly to remove the water.
3. Add the balls to the rasa and refrigerate it for 4-5 hours.
4. Garnish with chopped pista and serve.


Overall the ras malai was good (not excellent) as the balls were not soft enough. If anyone has any other tips to make the paneer balls soft, please do share it here.

38 comments:

  1. Fathima..Yummy ras malai, njganludeyum fav dessert anu..Kidu..Lovely clicks kettoo

    Love
    Kairali sisters

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  2. fathima
    wow what a delicious rasamalai..very well explained..looks so yummy feel to grab some.

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  3. Very beautiful dessert, looks so tempting...

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  4. looks wonderfully delicious.yumm.

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  5. looks so nice... one more reason for it got harder , may be u have boiled a little longer after squeezing lemon and the paneer might have got harder.. This is from my experience .. :) ..
    I know thought its hard no one can beat its taste ...

    Superb

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  6. delicious rasamalai....me to waiting to try it out.....

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  7. Delectable delight!!!!! Bravo!!!!! Very tempting... All of a sudden I feel short of saliva..... ;-)

    Ash....
    (http://asha-oceanichope.blogspot.com/)

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  8. Lovely clicks, Fathima..Rasmalai looks very tasty..

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  9. I love rasmalai :) This looks awesome :)

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  10. My Hubby's faaav milk sweet...well presented dear..

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  11. I have been wanting to make paneer. It seems so simple. This sounds like a wonderful dessert. I'd love to try it.

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  12. Looks mouthwatering. Takes a little time to make it but worth every second!:)

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  13. wowww kothipichu,luv this, nice pic ketto

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  14. excellent clicks..looks super delicious..

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  15. Wow....looks so creamy and delicious....

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  16. Looks super yummy..beautiful dessert dear.

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  17. Wow, rasmalai looks creamy rich and delish...very tempting pictures, dear.

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  18. so many rasa malai recipes on the blogosphere...im not a big fan..although this is making me drool

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  19. Well...i love Rasmalai too..Well..try using ricotta cheese to make the balls.Very fatty but tastes yum dear!

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  20. Wow..wonderful dessert..simply love the pics

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  21. Beautiful Rasmalai, fantastic work Fathima...awesome clicks..

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  22. Looks soo beautiful in ur clicks.. mouth watering rasmalai.. perfect presentation..:)

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  23. kidilan..ithu ethra kazhichalum enikku mathiyavilla...:-) love the clicks too

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  24. That is really creamy and delicious, beautiful click too...

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  25. Slurp slurp.... Wonderfully prepared . Loved the color. Must have tasted great as well

    Deepa
    Hamaree Rasoi

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  26. Looks great! I am trying to keep away from sweets but seeing this scrumptious dish I just hope I can keep at it :)

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  27. Wonderful clicks... Looks creamy and rich..

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  28. Mmmmm, I love rasamalais!!! they look great !!!

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  29. Thank you for posting about the firm paneer balls; I had the same problem, and I think you're right that more moisture might have helped ....

    foodfloozie.blogspot.com
    twitter.com/foodfloozie

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  30. Rasmalai looks so inviting dear...lovely presentation :)

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  31. Fathima, I'm so glad you stopped by blog and helped me to discover yours. Gosh that Ras Malai has me drooling!

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  32. hi fathima, your rasmalai has turned out so beautiful.. beautiful pictures too

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  33. Ras Malai is my favourite too...I'm taking some for me now! ;)

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  34. my fav dessert. looks too good. yumm.

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  35. Dear Fatima
    How are you? You have changed the name of your blog and I am waiting for your recipes...ha ha
    Very nice indeed..why the Rasmalai become harder? It could be the addition of maida may be, will ask Sangeeta
    Let me see what else I have missed during my visit to Mumbai (already read the honey cookie, but cant make it:-(
    Have a nice day

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  36. Rasmalai looks wonderful I too attempted they and they turned out really well.

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