Pakistan – Delicious Gulab Jamun

by Arbaz Khan

What is gulab jamun

Gulab jamun is a dry milk based sweet dish originated in Indian subcontinent. It is a “mithai” which means dessert. The main ingredient of this recipe is khoya which is known as dry milk. Gulab jamun is garnished with almonds. This dessert is very famous in Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and India. Gulab jamun is also very popular in desi people’s society in all parts of the world. Ras gulla is another dessert which is very similar to gulab jamun but its colour is white instead of brown.

Origination of gulab jamun

Indian subcontinent in 18^th century

History

Gulab jamun were originated in 18^th century during era of Mughals in Indian subcontinent. This delicious dish was prepared by chef of Shah Jahan by accident. The word ‘gulab’ is derived form word gol means rose flower, it refers to rose water indicates its syrup. The word ‘jamun’ is derived from hindi word which is a fruit of same shape. In Pakistan, gulab jamuns are available everywhere, people eat them after their meals. You can see this dish at every event specially at a marriage festival as a dessert. When we talk about sweet gulab jamun comes in every Pakistani people’s mind.

Nutrition facts

Per gulab jamun

Ingredients

For dough

• Milk (dry) = 200 grams
• Flour = 1 tablespoon
• Semolina = 1 teaspoon
• Baking powder = 1 teaspoon
• Salt = as required
• Oil = 1 tablespoon
• Egg = 1

For syrup

• Water = half cup
• Cinnamon sticks = 1
• Sugar = 1.5 cups
• Cardamon = 5
• Lemon juice = 1 teaspoon
• Clove = 3
• Star spice = 3

Procedure

• Take a pan and add a given quantity of water to it and bring it to boil.
• When water starts boiling, add spices like star spice, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and cardamon and wait for 5 minutes.
• After 5 minutes, add lemon juice in water and again wait for 5 minutes.
• At last, add 1 and a half cup of sugar in water and cook until a thick syrup is made.
• A sweet syrup is ready.
• Take a bowl and add dry milk, flour, semolina, baking powder, salt, and oil in it.
• Mix everything using a fork.
• Now add beaten egg to the mixture and knead with your hands until a sticky dough is formed.
• To make dough firm, refrigerate it for some time.
• Now grease your hands with oil and take a small part of the dough.
• Make a ball using your hands.
• Similarly, make balls with the dough.
• Now take a wok and add oil to it and bring it to medium flame.
• When oil starts boiling, add dough balls to it carefully.
• Fry these dough balls until the golden brown color has appeared.
• Take them out on a plate and put these balls in prepared sweet syrup.
• Wait for 5 minutes and take out from syrup.
• Serve these balls (gulab jamun) as a dessert!