One of the most delicious of all the sweet and scrumptious Diwali dishes, is the sugar dipped, orange Jalebis. The Jalebi is a universal favorite that's popular during festive occasions such as Diwali, and otherwise.
Ingredients
# 2 tbsp curd (plain yogurt)
# 11/4th cups warm water
# 1/2 tsp. saffron threads, slowly dry-roasted and powdered
# 3 cups sugar
# 2 2/3rd cups water
# 2 cups All purpose flour (maida)
# 11/2 tbsp. fine grained semolina or rice flour
# 1/4th tsp. baking powder
# 1/2 tsp green cardamom seeds powder
# 11/2 tbsp. kewra water or rose water
# Ghee or vegetable oil for frying
Directions
1) Mix the flour, semolina (or rice flour), baking powder, curd and 3/4th cup of the water in a bowl. Mix well with a whisk.
2) Add remaining water and 1/8th tsp. of saffron powder; whisk until smooth.
3) Set aside for approximately 2 hours - to ferment.
4) Whisk thoroughly before use.
5) Prepare string syrup by dissolving sugar in the water. Just before the syrup is ready, add saffron and cardamom powder.
6) Heat oil in a kadhai. Pour the batter in a steady stream (or through a coconut shell with a hole) into the kadhai to form coils. Make a few at a time.
7) Deep fry the coils until they are golden and crisp all over, but not brown.
8) Remove from the kadhai, and drain on kitchen paper; immerse in the syrup.
9) Leave for at least 4-5 minutes so that they soak up the syrup.
10) Remove them from the syrup and serve hot.
