Delightful Holiday Treat: Creamy and Aromatic Ras Malai Recipe

Indulge in the heavenly taste of Ras Malai, a classic Indian dessert with our simple and authentic recipe. This guide takes you through the steps to create soft, cheese balls soaked in a fragrant, saffron-infused milk syrup, garnished with pistachios. Perfect for special occasions or as a luxurious treat, this creamy and delicious dessert will transport your taste buds to the heart of India. Follow our easy instructions to make this delightful, chilled dessert that’s sure to impress.

Ingredients

1. For the Ras Malai Balls:
   • 4 cups whole milk
   • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
   • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
   • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2. For the Milk Syrup:
   • 4 cups whole milk
   • 1/2 cup sugar
   • 4-5 green cardamom pods, crushed
   • A pinch of saffron strands
   • 2 tablespoons slivered almonds (optional)
   • 2 tablespoons chopped pistachios (optional)
3. For Garnishing:
   • Chopped pistachios
   • Saffron strands

Equipment

• Heavy-bottomed pan
• Muslin cloth or cheesecloth
• Slotted spoon
• Shallow dish

Instructions

1. Making the Cheese Balls:
   • Boil 4 cups of milk in a heavy-bottomed pan. Once it comes to a boil, add lemon juice and stir until the milk curdles.
   • Strain the curdled milk through a muslin cloth to separate the whey. Rinse the cheese with cold water to remove the lemon taste.
   • Squeeze out the excess water and hang it for about 30 minutes to ensure it’s well-drained.
   • After draining, knead the cheese with powdered sugar and flour until smooth. Form into small, smooth balls.
2. Preparing the Milk Syrup:
   • In another pan, boil 4 cups of milk with sugar, cardamom, and saffron until it reduces to about three-quarters of its original volume.
   • Optionally, add slivered almonds and chopped pistachios for extra flavor and texture.
3. Cooking the Cheese Balls:
   • Gently add the cheese balls to the boiling milk syrup. Cook for 10-15 minutes on low heat, ensuring they are cooked through and have absorbed some syrup.
4. Cooling:
   • Allow the Ras Malai to cool completely. The cheese balls will continue to absorb the syrup and flavors as they cool.
5. Refrigerating:
   • Chill the Ras Malai in the refrigerator for a few hours before serving.
6. Serving:
   • Serve the Ras Malai chilled, garnished with chopped pistachios and saffron strands.
7. Storage:
   • Ras Malai can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Enjoy this creamy and indulgent Ras Malai, a classic Indian dessert perfect for special occasions or as a delightful treat after a meal!