Rasabali is one of the Chhapan Bhog of Puri Jagannath temple. This delicacy is offered as one of the favorite offerings to Lord Baladev. Flattened Chhena balls which are deep fried in ghee and later soaked in a sweetened semi condensed milk with a tinge of freshly powdered cardamom brings out an authentic aromatic Rasabali.
Ingredients:
Freshly curdled Chhena : 1 cup
All purpose flour : 1 Tsp
Milk 1 liter
Sugar ¼ cup
Powdered sugar 1 Tbsp
Cardamom powder one Tsp
Cardamom pods 2 to 3
Ghee or Oil for deep frying
Preparation Steps:
In a heavy bottomed pan add milk and start boiling it, occasionally stirring in between to avoid burning and sticking to the pot.
The milk will slowly thicken and reduce to ¾ th of quantity.
Add sugar and freshly crushed cardamom pods in it. Boil it for five minutes and mix well to dissolve sugar. Keep it on the stove and switch off the flame.
For Preparing Soft crumbly Chhena, please refer to the link of preparing Chhena From Rasogola link.
While the milk is getting thickened, in a wide mixing bowl take Chhena, all purpose flour, cardamom powder and powdered sugar.
Knead them well with your palm while rubbing it across the bowl, to get a smooth and soft Chhena dough.
Take a small portion of dough to make a ball and later flatten it in your palm.
Prepare all the flattened balls or patties from the dough and keep them aside.
Heat ghee or oil in a deep pan, Maintain a medium temperature.
Deep fry each flattened Chena balls till they are golden brown from all sides. It will take 2 to 3 minutes.
The oil should not be very hot, otherwise the flattened Chhena balls will pop up in the heat and will turn become golden brown quickly. It will not be cooked from inside.
Remove the golden Rasabalis from the pan after draining excess oil.
Switch on the flame and warm the milk which was cooked earlier
Drop these deep fried Rasabalis into the warm thickened milk and let it get cooked for five minutes in low flame.
Switch off the stove and let the Rasabalis soak in enough milk to absorb it.
Transfer after one hour to a serving bowl. Rasabalis are ready for offering to lord Jagannath and Baladebv.