Malpua - Sweet Indian Pancakes

Ingredients

• 1 cup (120g) all-purpose flour 1 cup (120g) all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup (30g) semolina 1/4 cup (30g) semolina
• 1 ripe banana, mashed 1 ripe banana, mashed
• 1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder 1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder
• A pinch of saffron strands A pinch of saffron strands
• 1 cup (240ml) milk 1 cup (240ml) milk
• Vegetable oil, for frying Vegetable oil, for frying
• For the sugar syrup: For the sugar syrup:
• 1 cup (200g) sugar 1 cup (200g) sugar
• 1 cup (240ml) water 1 cup (240ml) water
• 1 teaspoon rose water 1 teaspoon rose water
• Chopped nuts for garnish (e.g., pistachios, almonds) Chopped nuts for garnish (e.g., pistachios, almonds)

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 250 kcal / 1046 KJ
• Fat: 8g (2g saturated)
• Carbohydrates: 40g (20g sugars)
• Protein: 5g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 0.1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, semolina, mashed banana, cardamom powder, and saffron strands.
2. 2.
   Gradually add milk to the mixture and whisk until you achieve a smooth batter. Let it rest for 15 minutes.
3. 3.
   In a deep pan, heat vegetable oil over medium heat.
4. 4.
   Pour a ladleful of the batter into the hot oil, forming a small pancake. Fry until golden brown on both sides.
5. 5.
   Remove the fried Malpua from the oil and drain excess oil on a paper towel.
6. 6.
   In a separate saucepan, combine sugar and water to make the sugar syrup. Bring it to a boil and simmer for 5 minutes until it thickens slightly.
7. 7.
   Remove the sugar syrup from heat and stir in the rose water.
8. 8.
   Dip the fried Malpua into the warm sugar syrup, allowing it to soak for a few seconds on each side.
9. 9.
   Garnish the Malpua with chopped nuts and serve warm.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Ripe banana — Use bananas that are fully ripe and mash them well to ensure a smooth batter consistency.
• Saffron strands — Soak the saffron strands in a tablespoon of warm milk for a few minutes before adding them to the batter. This will help release their vibrant color and aroma.

Tips & Tricks

• For extra richness, you can replace the vegetable oil with ghee (clarified butter) for frying the Malpua.
• Serve the Malpua warm for the best taste and texture.
• You can add a sprinkle of powdered sugar or drizzle some honey on top of the Malpua before serving for an extra touch of sweetness.
• Experiment with different types of nuts for garnishing, such as cashews or walnuts, to add variety to the dish.
• If you prefer a thinner sugar syrup, you can add a little more water while preparing it.

Serving advice

Serve the Malpua pancakes warm as a dessert. They can be enjoyed on their own or paired with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delightful contrast of flavors and temperatures.

Presentation advice

Arrange the Malpua pancakes on a serving platter, garnish them with a generous sprinkle of chopped nuts, and drizzle some of the sugar syrup over the top. The golden brown pancakes with their vibrant garnish will create an inviting and visually appealing dessert.