Gulab Jamun

Gulab jamun is the most popular and loved desert among many Indians.  I prepared this recipe with MTR Gulab jamun mix which is very easy and can be done in half an hour.  An ideal jamun would be soft, spongy and would melt in mouth and the taste lasts for a long period of time.  The flavor of cardamom with a pinch of edible camphor would give an addictive taste to this desert.

Ingredients:

MTR Gulab jamun mix - 200g

Sugar - 300 g

Water - 2.5 cups

Cardamom powder/cardamom essence  - a pinch or few drops

Edible camphor -a pinch

Oil - As required for frying

Preparation:

1. Open the MTR gulab jamun mix packet and transfer the contents (You can use any brand of your choice).  Knead gently well by adding water little by little.  The mixture should be kneaded into a soft dough and small soft balls could be made from it without any cracks (Refer picture).  Set aside for some time.

2.  Take 300g of sugar and add 2.5 cups of water to it.  Keep in medium flame stirring in between.  After 5-7 minutes, the sugar starts to boil and color changes slightly.  Let it boil for some 2 more minutes and at this stage add cardamom essence and a pinch of edible camphor to the  sugar syrup.  Maintain in flame for a minute and switch off the stove.

3.  In a heavy bottomed pan, heat oil and fry the soft balls in low flame until it is cooked well and turn golden color on all sides.  Please note while frying, the oil should be kept in low to medium flame, otherwise the balls would turn brownish outside but would not have cooked well inside.  Also fry the balls in small batches. 

4.  Put the fried jamuns in the sugar syrup and repeat the process for rest of the dough.  The size of the jamuns would increase slightly after getting immersed in sugar syrup.  

5.  Serve it warm or chilled as per your family taste.  Warm gulab jamuns are best when served with chilled icecream :-).