CHOCOLATE JALEBI

Relationships are the true essence of any festivity and it holds true for any festival. Each occasion brings the family together which calls for a celebration.

Raksha Bandhan or Rakhi is a celebration of one such relation,the bond of affection between brothers and sisters. Raksha Bandhan is a Hindu festival that celebrates the love and bond between brothers and sisters. The pious bond of love between a brother and a sister is one of the deepest and noblest of human emotions. Rakhi is a special occasion to celebrate this emotional bonding where sisters tie a rakhi (sacred thread) on her brother’s wrist. This symbolizes the sister’s love and prayers for her brother’s well-being,happiness  and the brother’s lifelong vow to protect her. This thread, which emulates with sisterly love and sublime sentiments, is rightly called the ‘Rakhi’. It means ‘a bond of protection’.

But more than the gesture, it’s the sentiment which matters the most.Irrespective of distance and one’s busy schedules, one can bond with their siblings if one is emotionally attached to them. You don’t need a day or a reason to express your love for your brother or sister. The feeling of affection comes from within and should not be saved for a particular day. You loved ones are there in your thoughts n blessings always.Although most siblings still try and get together on this auspicious day, but sometimes it may be impossible.

Same is the case with me. I miss my brothers the most on this very special day but Alas!!!!!

So through this post of mine or rather through my Jalebis which are their favourite. I’m sending my brothers my wishes,blessings n love which no distance can lessen.

CHOCOLATE JALEBI

Chocolate is another sweet which is relished not only by children but by adults too.

And what a heavenly combination it becomes when you makeCHOCOLATE flavored JALEBIS. No words can describe the taste.

(I made an instant,quick version of traditional jalebi recipe. This recipe contains yeast to make it instant).

INGREDIENTS:

For Sugar Syrup:

1 cup-Sugar

½ cup-Water

1 tsp-Lime/lemon juice

1 tsp- Rose Water

Few strands of saffron(Kesar)

1/4 tsp-Cardamom powder(Elaichi)

Method:

Single thread Sugar Syrup:

Boil the sugar and water together on medium heat. Once the sugar syrup comes to a boil, simmer for about 5 minutes. So it takes total of about 12-15 minutes to get the sugar syrup done. Add the lemon juice to make the syrup clean and pure.Now add cardamom powder, rose water and saffron and trun off the heat. It is very important that you prepare single thread syrup for best result.

How to check for single thread syrup: With the help of your thumb and index finger, take sugar syrup(make sure it is not too hot)on the tip of your index finger, and rub between thumb and finger tip, and when you separate your thumb from your finger tip, you should see one thread only.

INGREDIENTS:

For batter:

1/2 cup-All purpose flour(Maida)

1 tbsp-Corn starch

1 cup-Yogurt(Dahi or curd)

1tbsp- Cocoa powder

1tsp- Baking powder

1tsp- Instant dry Yeast

 1/3 cup-Warm water

1 tsp-Sugar

1 tbsp- Oil

For Frying:

Oil

METHOD:

Dissolve the yeast in warm water with sugar and let it sit for about five minutes.

Mix the flour, corn starch and Cocoa powder.

Add the yeast solution, yogurt,baking powder and flour mix and mix well, making sure that there are no lumps and the batter is smooth.

Set the batter aside and let it sit in a warm place for 10-15 minutes.

Make sure the batter is fermented, but do not over ferment it. After fermenting batter will be little lacy.

Now add oil and mix very well. Your batter is ready.

Now to make the jalebis, preheat the oil for deep frying. To check if the oil is hot enough, put a drop of batter in the oil. If it is hot enough, the batter will immediately come rising to the surface.

Fill the Jalebi batter into a squeeze bottle[(you can use piping or ziploc bag also or You can also use an empty bottle (i.e. empty ketchup or mustard bottle)].Once you have filled the piping bag, pipe spirals of the batter onto the medium hot oil, until you get atleast 3 concentric circles. Fry the jalebi on medium heat until golden brown in colour and crisp. Once the jalebi is crisp and browned, drain the exess oil out and immediately dunk the jalebi’s into the warm sugar syrup.

The Jalebis should rest in the warm sugar syrup for at least a minute, after which they can be drained out of the excess syrup and then served.