This exquisite dessert, inspired by India, combines crispy, syrup-soaked jalebis with vanilla ice cream and roasted pistachios.
Jalebi Batter
To prepare the batter, you will need 125g cake flour, 1/2 teaspoon yellow food coloring, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 16g cornstarch, 120ml plain yogurt, 120ml water (add as needed), 1 teaspoon lemon juice, and vegetable oil for frying.
Spiced Sugar Syrup:
To make the spiced sugar syrup, add sugar to a non-stick saucepan, then add water and stir. The syrup needs to be boiled over medium heat until it reaches the consistency of a single thread. After that, add lemon juice, crushed cardamom pods, and saffron to the syrup. Then remove the syrup from the heat and let it steep.
It is important to note that if the syrup crystallizes, it should be slightly diluted with water and put back on the heat.
Preparing the Jalebi Batter
Add the cake flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and food coloring to a mixing bowl, beating until the ingredients are combined. Next, mix in the yogurt and stir. Add the water and continue beating until a smooth batter is obtained. The batter should be thick enough but pourable; if more liquid is required, add it one tablespoon at a time until the desired consistency is reached.
Pour the batter into a squeeze bottle to ensure a uniform jalebi shape. Heat the oil over medium heat for frying. Check the oil's readiness by dropping a little batter into it—it should rise without browning. Carefully squeeze the batter from the bottle in circular motions from the center outwards to form beautiful spirals. If the batter is too thick, add a little water.
While the jalebis are frying, you must monitor the syrup. If it has crystallized, dilute it with water and return it to the heat. The syrup should be warm, not hot, so that the jalebis do not become soft. As soon as the jalebis are ready to fry, dip them into the warm syrup. After 4-5 minutes, they are removed and set aside. This process is repeated with all remaining jalebis.
After the jalebis have completely cooled, roll them up with your favorite ice cream, sprinkle with roasted pistachios, and if you wish to add a touch of elegance, you can use a little gold leaf.
