### Malpua Recipe ~ Indian Sweet Treats (Holi Delicacies)
Malpua is a scrumptious Indian sweet treat that captures the joyous essence of Holi. This classic dessert is essentially a pancake soaked in sugar syrup, made from a mixture of flour, milk, and cardamom. The pancakes are usually fried in ghee until they are crispy around the edges, then drenched in a sweet sugar syrup and topped with pistachios. They are commonly served warm with a drizzle of Rabri, which is a luscious, thickened milk.
#### Variants of Malpua
Malpua boasts several regional variations throughout India. In Orissa, it is served as prasad to Lord Jagannath, whereas in West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, and Maharashtra, it is made during festivals such as Sankranti and Holi. A favored variant includes the addition of grated coconut and ripe bananas to the batter, producing a soft and pillowy pancake.
#### Mawa Malpua
With Holi on the horizon, the Mawa Malpua recipe is an excellent selection for celebrating the occasion. This indulgent variation introduces mawa (unsweetened khoya) into the batter, intensifying the taste and texture. The pancakes are soaked in a sugar syrup infused with saffron and presented with Rabri, resulting in a divine dessert experience.
#### Ingredients
– **For the Batter:**
– 1 cup all-purpose flour
– 1 cup milk
– 1/2 cup mawa (khoya)
– 1/4 teaspoon cardamom powder
– 1 ripe banana (optional)
– Grated coconut (optional)
– **For the Sugar Syrup:**
– 1 cup sugar
– 1/2 cup water
– A few strands of saffron (optional)
– **For Frying:**
– Ghee (clarified butter)
#### Step-by-Step Directions
1. **Prepare the Batter:**
– In a mixing bowl, mix all-purpose flour, milk, mawa, cardamom powder, and mashed banana (if using). Stir well until you obtain a smooth batter. Grated coconut can also be added for more texture.
2. **Make the Sugar Syrup:**
– In a saucepan, mix sugar and water. Bring it to a boil and let it simmer until it achieves a one-string consistency. Incorporate saffron strands for flavor and color, then set aside.
3. **Fry the Malpua:**
– Heat ghee in a frying pan over medium heat. Pour a ladleful of batter into the hot ghee, forming it into a round pancake. Fry until golden brown on both sides.
4. **Soak in Sugar Syrup:**
– Once fried, immediately submerge the pancakes in the warm sugar syrup, allowing them to soak for a minute.
5. **Serve:**
– Serve the Malpua warm, garnished with chopped pistachios and served with Rabri.
#### Conclusion
Malpua transcends being merely a dessert; it is a celebration of tastes and customs. This Holi, indulge your family and friends with the rich and tender Mawa Malpua, and pair it with other festive treats like Gujiya and Thandai for an incredibly memorable feast. Relish the sweetness of this traditional Indian delicacy and enhance your Holi celebrations!