Jalebi (Fritters in Syrup)

What you’ll need

Tap an ingredient as you get it ready.

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup gram flour
• ¼ teaspoon baking powder
• 1½ cups water
• 3 cups of vegetable oil/ghee for deep frying
• 4 cups white granulated sugar
• 3 cups water
• ⅛ teaspoon cream of tartar
• Red and yellow food colorings
• 1 teaspoon rosewater

Let’s make it

1. Step 1

   Mix up the batter ingredients until smooth.

2. Step 2

   Let the batter sit unrefrigerated and uncovered overnight (about 12 hours).

3. Step 3

   Mix the sugar, water, and cream of tartar for the syrup.

4. Step 4

   Stir the syrup over moderate heat until the sugar is dissolved.

5. Step 5

   Put on high heat and boil for 5 minutes.

6. Step 6

   Let the syrup cool, and stir in the rosewater. Use food coloring to tint it light orange.

7. Step 7

   Put the vegetable oil in a wide wok-like dish, and heat to about 350°F (175°C).

8. Step 8

   Put the batter into a pastry bag with about a ¼ inch opening. If it is too dry to squeeze out, mix in a bit of water.

9. Step 9

   Squeeze the batter into the oil, making a couple of figure-eight shapes and loops on top of each other. The shape should be about 3 inches on its longest side.

10. Step 10

    Fry each jalebi until golden brown. Remove, let the oil drain off, then soak in syrup for a minute.

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