Chanar Jalebi / Paneer Jalebi

As you know, I am part of the South Vs North Challenge started by Divya Pramil of "You too Can Cook" Blog. As part of this challenge, we are divided into two groups - North and South. Every month, each group challenges each other with a dish which all of us have to make and post. This month, Chandrani of "Cuisine delights" challenged the Southern group with the dish "Bengali Chanar Jalebi" and the Priya Suresh of "Priya's Versatile recipes" challenged the Northern group with "Chettinad Pakoda Kuzambu". I joined the group late in April and participated in the last 2 month's challenges and had lots of fun making the two dishes which were "Khandvi" and "Dhokar Dolna". Do check out the earlier challenges :). 

When I saw that this month challenge involved making Jalebi, I was in a dilemma. Should I participate or not !!! The recipe came at a time when we just decided to try staying away from sweets... Both me and my hubby are avid sweet lovers. My hubby in fact would love to munch on something sweet after every meal if it were not for me throwing a lot of tantrums !!! In fact I was encouraging my hubby to try some healthy alternative to sweets like fruits or dates after the meal. But do you know the temptations one has to face every day when you take such a big decision as to stay away from sweets ??? My neighbor's parents came to visit them in US and got a big package of sweets. Naturally they distributed them to every one and we got a box of some absolutely delicious lip smacking Kaju Katli which we cant stay  away from!!! So naturally resolutions were postponed till the Kaju Katlis get over atleast and then I saw the SNC challenge Jalebis !! Jalebis are my favorite !!! Confusions !!! In the end, my urge to try out a new recipe and especially something like jalebis which I havent tried ever, won out!!! 
Checked out the recipe posted by Chandrani and saw that it involved making fresh Paneer. Now that was again something which I havent tried still... I usually opt for the easier method and buy Paneer from the Indian stores :) But decided this is a good time to try as well !! Another challenging part for me was deep frying the Jalebis. Deep Frying is something which I have never tried and its usually not preferred in my home as well. I opt for shallow frying or baking instead of deep frying. But I went out ahead and tried out the recipe step by step. In between I reduced the quantity of ingredients used as I didnt want to make too many and was not sure how much the recipe would produce. Again got another challenge when all of a sudden, guests with Kids came in just when I started deep frying, so that resulted in my first jalebi being rock hard because I switched off the gas and ran to meet the guests and entertain the kid and neglected removing the jalebi from the oil till they left. So the first one stayed in hot oil for atleast half an hour and I ended up with a rock hard Jalebi which I threw away :) 
When I started trying the recipe step by step, they were so easy and the jalebis turned out crisp and delicious... Dunked the Jalebis for a few hours in the sugar syrup flavored with cardamom and saffron and it was just perfect !! Lightly sweet and absolutely lip smacking!!  I am glad that I ended up trying out the recipe. We simply loved the Jalebis. We shared them with my neighbours and they also appreciated them so much. Now I know what I am going to prepare next time there is a potluck - Paneer Jalebis for sure :)
Do try it out guys.. You will love it for sure :) And thank you Chandrani for such a delicious recipe for the SNC challenge :) 

Chanar Jalebi/ Paneer Jalebi:

Ingredients:

To make Homemade Paneer or Chana:

1 litre Milk
Juice of 2 lemon or Curd or Citric acid - 1 Tbsp

Method of Preparing Homemade Paneer:

Step 1:

Boil the Milk. Once boiled, add the lemon juice or Curd or Citric acid and keep stirring. Slowly the milk will start curdling. 

Step 2:

Switch off when the milk is completely curdled and the whey water becomes clear. Wait for a couple of minutes. (I waited 10 min)

Step 3: 

Strain the curdled milk through a sieve or muslin cloth. Squeeze out the excess water. Again I let the curdled paneer rest for around 20 - 30 minutes. 

Now Home made Paneer is ready :) Very easy recipe to follow. I have decided not to buy Paneer any more and make it as per my need at home from now on. 

Ingredients to make the Sugar Syrup:

1 cup Sugar 
1/2 cup Water
3 - 4 Crushed Cardamom
Few Saffron Thread - Optional

Method of Preparing the Sugar Syrup:

Step 1:

Add sugar and water in a pan and keep stirring. Gradually the sugar will dissolve. 

Step 2:

A few minutes later, the bubbles will start appearing. Add the crushed cardamom and saffron threads if you are using them. Stir continously. 

Step 3:

Switch off once the syrup becomes thick and sticky. 

Ingredients to make the Jalebi Dough:

Homemade Paneeer
2 Tsp Milk
2 or 3 Maida or All purpose Flour
1 Tsp Baking Powder
1/2 Tsp Cardamom Powder
Oil for deep frying

Method of Preparing the Paneer Jalebis:

Step 1: 

Add home made Paneer, milk, baking powder, 1 Tsp Maida and cardamom Powder in a wide bowl and knead for around 10 - 15 minutes till the dough becomes smooth. 

Step 2:

Make a medium sized ball from the dough and roll it into a smooth ball.

Step 3:

Then roll them thin and long as in the pic.

Step 4:

Twist them to from the shape as in the pic. Now while rolling, if you find that cracks are appearing, then moist the hand and try again. 

Repeat steps 2 to 4, till the dough is over.

Step 5: 

Heat oil in a wide pan for deep frying. Keep the temperature of the oil at medium heat. 

Step 6:

Slowly put the jalebis in hot oil and fry until they become golden brown. Taken them off and dunk them in the warm sugar syrup. 

Cover and let it stand for a few hours. The Jalebis will absorb the syrup and swell in size. 

Serve the Paneer Jalebis hot or chilled along with the sugar syrup. Enjoy :)

Sending the recipe to the event "Authentic Indian Sweets with giveway" at nivedhanam.