Light drizzle, a cool breeze and a plate of hot jalebis, the monsoon rarely offers a better combination. Many people assume that crisp, juicy market-style jalebis are too hard to pull off at home, but the truth is that with the right ingredients and a few simple tricks, you can make halwai-style jalebis right in your kitchen. Here is the full recipe, step by step.
What You Will Need
For the batter, gather 1 cup maida, 2 tablespoons cornflour, half a teaspoon of baking powder, 1 cup of lukewarm water and a pinch of turmeric or food colouring.
For the syrup you will need 1 cup sugar, half a cup of water, half a teaspoon of cardamom powder and 1 teaspoon of lemon juice. Keep ghee or refined oil ready for frying.
The Batter Is the Most Important Step
In a large bowl, mix the maida, cornflour and baking powder together. Now add water a little at a time to form a smooth, thick batter, then stir in the turmeric or food colour. The key step here is to cover the batter and leave it to rest for 6 to 8 hours so it ferments lightly. This is the real secret behind that crunchy texture.
A Single-Thread Syrup
In a pan over medium heat, cook the sugar and water together. As soon as the sugar dissolves completely, add the cardamom powder and lemon juice. Keep cooking the syrup until it reaches a single-thread consistency, then switch off the flame. The lemon juice stops the syrup from crystallising and gives the jalebis their shine.
Shaping and Frying
Fill the batter into a jalebi bottle, a piping bag or a thick cloth. Heat ghee or oil in a deep pan. Pour the batter into the hot oil in circular swirls so the jalebis take their classic shape. Fry them on medium heat until they turn golden and crisp. Remember, frying on high heat may cook the outside while leaving the inside raw.
The Dip in Syrup
Drop the freshly fried jalebis straight into the warm syrup and let them soak for just 30 to 40 seconds, then lift them out. Your crisp, juicy market-style jalebis are ready.
During the monsoon, fresh homemade jalebis can win over any sweet lover. With this easy method, you can double the joy of the rainy season with your family.
