Gulab Kela
Plantain
What is in the name, one may ask, well I just created a name for this desert....Gulab Kela. Well let me explain, the original desert is Gulab Jamun a Persian sweet meat which was brought to India in ancient times and eventually became a household desert for all occasions in India.
Gulab means rose syrup (in Persian) and Jamun means a type of berry in Hindi. So this desert is technically a fusion.
Wait a minute, what has that got to do with my desert, well Gulab part is there but Jamun part is replaced by plantain, and plantain is called "Kela" in Hindi, and so I fused it to be Gulab Kela. But I must tell you this is a typical South Indian village sweet meat.
Boiling Plantain
Take a few raw plantain and boil it in a pot. Do add a little cumin powder. Allow the plantain to boil till it is cooked well. Once cooked peel off the skin and mash the plantain till it becomes soft and fine.
Peeled Plantain
Mash the Plantain
I used a mallet to mash it first before I used my hand to knead it so that the plantain is evenly mashed. Then add semolina to the mashed plantain. Knead it again thoroughly, add a little salt, and baking powder. Sprinkle a little water if the dough is too tough.
Semolina Added
Kneaded dough
Allow the dough to settle for half an hour. Then start making small balls out of the dough. Meanwhile you can start making the sugar syrup. Today I am using "Vellam" unrefined cane sugar, which can be easily bought in any local Indian shop. This sugar is not only tastier but also healthier. Do add a few cardamom to give the syrup a punch.
Made into Balls
Vellam
While allowing the sugar syrup to cool down, heat coconut oil in a wok. Transfer the plantain balls and fry till they becomes golden brown.
Frying Plantain Balls
Fried Plantain Balls
Once fried, transfer the fried balls to a bowl and allow it to cool. Then pour the sugar syrup over the fried plantain balls and allow it to soak.
Sugar Syrup on Fried Plantain Balls
Give another half an hour.....viola! Gulab Kela is ready.
Try it out and let me know, its simple to make and yummy too.
ravivarmmankkanniappan@2147081120233.0567° N, 101.5851° E
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