Best Bal Mithai recipe Uttarakhand

Recipe

Best Bal Mithai recipe: Sweet Treat from Uttarakhand

Description

Bal mithai is a famous dessert from Uttarakhand, India. This sweet is made from roasted khoya or reduced milk and is coated in tiny balls of sugar. The sweet has a chewy texture and a rich, sweet flavour and is usually shaped into small cubes or rectangles. In the state of Uttarakhand, Bal mithai is a popular food that is often eaten during festivals and celebrations.

From the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand, India, Bal Mithai (Kumauni: बाल मिठाई, Bal Mithai) is a delicious sweet. Let me tell you more about it!

Origin: Bal Mithai was invented in the early twentieth century by the locals of Lal Bazaar, Almora. It is interesting to note that scholars believe that the name ‘Bal mithai’ may have originally referred to an offering made to the god of the sun.

Popularity: Bal mithai is a very popular sweet in the district of Almora and in the neighboring areas of Kumaon. Apart from Bal mithai, another local specialty called Singhauri (spiced khoya wrapped in oak leaves) is also popular.

Ingredient

• 2 cups khoya (reduced milk)
• 1/2 cup icing sugar (to taste)
• 2 tablespoons oil or ghee (clarified butter)
• 1/4 teaspoon cardamom powder
• 1/2 cup sugar (for the sugar balls)
• Water (as required)

Instruction

1. Roast the Khoya:

1. Roast the khoya in a non-stick frying pan over a medium heat, stirring constantly, for about 15 to 20 minutes, or until it turns a deep golden brown and gives off a nutty aroma.
2. When toasted, leave the khoya to cool slightly.
3. Preparation of sugar balls: In a small saucepan, dissolve the sugar in a small amount of water and then heat the mixture until it forms a syrup.
4. When the syrup has cooled slightly, make small sugar balls.

2. Make the khoya mixture:

1. In a mixing bowl, put the roasted khoya, the icing sugar and the cardamom powder together.
2. Mix well so that all the ingredients are evenly mixed.

3. Shape the Bal mithai:

1. Press the khoya mixture into a square or rectangular Mold and smooth the top.
2. Allow to cool and set, smoothing the top with a spatula.
3. Coat with sugar balls: Once the khoya mixture has set, cut it into small cubes or rectangles.
4. Roll each piece in the prepared sugar balls to coat evenly.

4. Finish and serve:

1. On a serving platter, arrange the coated Bal mithai pieces.
2. Serve and enjoy your meal!

Equipment

• Non-stick frying pan
• Small saucepan

Nutrition Information

Suitable For Diet

• Vegetarian Diet
• Milk (Khoya)

Tips and Tricks

• Depending on your taste, adjust the amount of icing sugar.
• For a change of flavour, try adding a dash of saffron to the mixture of khoya and sugar.
• Be sure to stir the khoya constantly during the roasting process to prevent burning.

Garnishing and Serving

• Serve the Bal Mithai on a decorative plate for an attractive presentation.
• Garnish with a sprinkle of cardamom powder for an extra touch.

How to store

• Any leftovers can be stored in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to one week.

Conclusion

Bal Mithai is a delightful, sweet treat that showcases the rich culinary traditions of Uttarakhand. It is a popular choice for special occasions and festivals due to its combination of roasted khoya and sweet sugar balls. Try this recipe and share your experience in the comments!