India > Desserts > Traditional Indian Desserts

Classic Imarti Recipe

Ingredients with Measurements:
- 1 cup urad dal
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 tsp saffron strands
- 1/4 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp cardamom powder
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 1/2 cups water
- Oil for frying

Special equipment needed:
- Imarti Jali (Imarti mould)
- Deep frying pan

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Soak urad dal in water for 4-5 hours.
2. Drain the water and grind the dal into a smooth paste.
3. Add saffron strands, baking powder, and cardamom powder to the paste and mix well.
4. In a separate pan, make sugar syrup by heating sugar and water until it reaches one-string consistency.
5. Heat oil in a deep frying pan.
6. Fill the imarti jali with the urad dal paste and press it into the hot oil in a circular motion to form a spiral shape.
7. Fry the imarti until it turns golden brown.
8. Remove the imarti from the oil and dip it in the sugar syrup for a few seconds.
9. Place the imarti on a plate and repeat the process with the remaining batter.


- Time:
Preparation time: 4-5 hours (for soaking dal)
- Cooking time: 30-40 minutes
Temperature:
- Oil temperature: 180°C
Serving size:
- 4-6 servings

Nutritional information:
- Calories: 300 per serving
- Fat: 10g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Protein: 5g

Substitutions for ingredients:
- Urad dal can be substituted with moong dal or chana dal.
- Saffron strands can be substituted with orange food color.

Variations:
- Imarti can be made with different shapes and sizes.
- Imarti can be served with rabri or ice cream.

Tips and tricks:
- The consistency of the urad dal paste should be thick enough to hold its shape in the hot oil.
- The sugar syrup should be warm when dipping the imarti to absorb the syrup properly.
- Imarti should be served immediately after dipping in the sugar syrup.

Storage instructions:
- Imarti can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days.

Reheating instructions:
- Imarti can be reheated in a microwave or oven for a few seconds before serving.

Presentation ideas:
- Serve imarti on a plate with a drizzle of sugar syrup and garnish with chopped nuts.

Garnishes:
- Chopped nuts such as almonds, pistachios, or cashews can be used as garnish.

Pairings:
- Imarti can be paired with masala chai or coffee.

Suggested side dishes:
- Imarti can be served as a dessert on its own.

Troubleshooting advice:
- If the imarti batter is too thin, add a little more urad dal to thicken it.
- If the imarti is not crispy, increase the oil temperature.

Food safety advice:
- Use fresh ingredients and clean utensils to avoid contamination.

Food history:
- Imarti is a popular Indian sweet that originated in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh.

Flavor profiles:
- Imarti has a sweet and slightly nutty flavor.

Serving suggestions:
- Imarti can be served as a dessert after a meal or as a snack.

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Region: Indian

Taste: Sweet, Nutty, Syrupy, Fragrant, Spicy