If you and lactose are BFFs, brace yourself for a drool-worthy journey that'll melt your heart like never before!
Indians are famous for their sweet tooth; in many households, something sweet after every meal is practically a must. No surprise then that the country has whipped up a bunch of awesome desserts, like the ever-loved rasgulla and gulab jamun. What's the secret ingredient in these yummy treats? Milk! Let's check out some of the most popular milk-based desserts in India.
Rasgullas, straight from West Bengal, are these soft, spongy treats that just melt in your mouth. Made from cottage cheese and curdled milk, they're soaked in a sweet syrup and can be eaten warm or chilled. Whether you like them big or small, you’ll find them in most sweet shops across India. They’re a real classic and super popular, so you’ve gotta try them if you haven't already!
Squishy, round dumplings made from thickened milk, just lounging in a luxurious rose-flavoured sugar syrup—that's Gulab Jamun for you! No doubt, it's the undisputed diva of Indian sweets. Even its name is a clever mashup—'gulab' from the syrup and 'jamun' from an Indian berry that has the same deep brown shade. Want to really blow your taste buds away? Warm it up, and throw a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. You can snag this sugary superstar in sweet shops all over India. Seriously, one bite, and you'll understand why it's a fan favourite!
Kheer is the creamy dream that unites India from north to south, with its sweet charm. Down south, it goes by "Payasam," and in the east, it's "Payesh" – names as diverse as its lavors. In this dessert, milk and rice get cosy with cardamom, blending into a blissful dance of sweetness! Topped with crunchy dry fruits, it's not just a dessert; it's a celebration waiting to happen, whether it's Diwali or a simple family gathering.
Ras Malai, like its fancy sibling Rasgulla, is dessert royalty! Just think of creamy cottage cheese or ricotta luxuriating in a sweet, cardamom-infused milk spa, then moulded into tender balls of pure glory! How to enjoy it like a pro? Chill it to perfection, sprinkle it with vibrant pistachios for that satisfying crunch, and voila! You've got a treat fit for any sweet tooth's dreams.
Shahi Tukra, a dessert thought to have originated in Hyderabad during the Mughal Empire, is absolutely regal. This festive sweet delicacy is made with bread soaked in ghee, milk, and sugar, then flavoured with cardamom and topped with nuts. The creamy texture of milk and ghee complements the aromatic spice of cardamom, and the nuts offer a satisfying crunch, resulting in a dessert that is both decadent and flavourful.
Mishti doi, like the popular rasgulla, is a West Bengali specialty. This simple yet attractive sweet delicacy is made with only three basic ingredients: yoghurt, milk, and sugar, making it extremely simple to prepare. A pinch of cardamom gives a sense of spice, increasing the flavour profile. Mishti doi, which is commonly served in earthenware pots, not only tastes delicious but also has a rustic charm to its presentation. This beauty, a Bengali home classic, is best enjoyed cold and serves as an excellent treat on any occasion!
Isn't it amazing how milk, a seemingly simple ingredient, can result in such a delicious variety of desserts? From the fluffy lightness of rasgulla and ras malai to the creamy richness of shahi tukra and mishti doi, each one adds a new dimension to sweetness. It's like a milk magic show, with each dish bringing something unique and wonderful to the table!
