Rasmalai Modak

Rasmalai is a popular Indian dessert made with milk solids, sugar, and flavorings with added nuts. Modak refers to various sweet dishes that are usually dumpling shaped dishes. This fusion recipe of rasmalai and modak  is perfect for any joyous occasion, or as an after-meal delicacy.

It is a pure manifestation of delightfulness and deliciousness melded into an impressive treat that promises to make any festive season blissful.

Total time: 30 minutes
Serving: 20 modaks

Ingredients:

• 1 cup malai paneer (grated)
• ¼ cup milk powder
• 1 tbsp ghee
• ½  cup powdered sugar
• ½ tsp cardamom powder
• 1 tbsp pistachios slivered
• ¼ cup saffron milk (1 tsp saffron strands dissolved in ¼ cup lukewarm milk)
• ½  cup powdered sugar
• ¾ tsp rasmalai essence (or rose essence)
• ¼ tsp cardamom powder

For garnish: Pistachios slices, saffron strands, rose petals

Instructions:

1. Add saffron to hot milk, mix well and let it rest for 10 mins.
2. Grind paneer until smooth.
3. Heat ghee in a non-stick pan on low flame
4. Add paneer, milk powder, powdered sugar to the pan and cook stirring well.
5. Once sugar melts add saffron milk and cook while continuously stirring until moisture evaporates, mixture turns granular and starts leaving the sides of the pan.
6. Take care to ensure the mixture does not stick to the pan and burn.
7. Add cardamom powder, mix well, remove to a bowl and let it cool down.
8. Once the mixture is cool to touch, grind it once again until smooth.
9. Add pistachios slices, dried rose petals and rasmalai essence, and knead to form a soft and smooth dough. Do not use any more milk or water to knead the dough.
10. Grease the inside of modak mold with some ghee and sprinkle some dried rose petals and pistachios.
11. Place mixture inside the mold to form the modaks.
12. Serve or store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator.

Indian Chef Chhaya Thakker, who has a huge following online on WhatsApp and YouTube will be sharing her favorite recipes and cooking tips with readers of The Times Kuwait. For feedback, you can write to editortimeskuwait@gmail.com