Diwali is fast approaching, bringing with it the joy of sweets and festivities. As homes light up with diyas, families come together to celebrate with traditional food and desserts. You simply cannot imagine Diwali without sweets. They add a delightful touch to the festive mood. Among the most popular sweets is the beloved Gulab Jamun, known for its sugary syrup or chashni. This syrup is often left over after the sweets are consumed.
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Chashni is the thick sugar syrup that coats and compliments a number of Indian desserts. Made by boiling water with sugar until it reaches a thick consistency, it sometimes includes flavours like saffron or cardamom. This syrup enriches sweets, giving them their characteristic sweetness. Most times, after the sweets are eaten, the syrup is left unused. Instead of letting it go to waste, chashni can be used in various creative and exclusive dishes. This ensures it doesn't get discarded.
It's amazing how several other delicious treats can be made from leftover chashni from Gulab Jamun. This syrup is a flexible component whether you're making new or improving classic recipes. It’s time to look for some creative uses for the extra syrup.
Dishes To Prepare With Leftover Gulab Jamun Syrup This Diwali
Shahi Tukda
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One of the best ways to repurpose leftover chashni is to make Shahi Tukda. This regal dessert is simple yet decadent. Begin by frying pieces of bread until they turn crisp and golden. These bread pieces are then soaked in the leftover sugar syrup, absorbing all its flavours. Once soaked, the bread is topped with rich rabri—a thickened milk dessert. Perfect for Diwali feasts, the cool rabri and syrup-soaked bread make a decadent dessert. It's a great approach to use chashni and satisfy guests with a rich, sweet treat at the same time.
Malpua
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Another traditional favourite that can make use of leftover chashni is Malpua. These sweet pancakes are made from a batter of refined flour and semolina, fried in ghee until they are crisp on the edges and soft in the centre. Once fried, the malpuas are soaked in sugar syrup, allowing them to soak up the sweet flavours. Using leftover Gulab Jamun syrup adds an extra layer of taste and reduces wastage. This dish, served warm or cold, makes a perfect Diwali dessert to share with family.
Meethi Roti
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Meethi Roti is a simple yet delightful dish that can be made with leftover sugar syrup. This sweet flatbread is made with kneading dough and a touch of leftover chashni to add flavour. The roti is then cooked in a pan until golden brown. It pairs perfectly with aor coffee, making for a delicious snack. It’s an ideal recipe to make when you’re looking for something quick, easy, and sweet during the festive season.
Amla Murabba
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Using chashni for Amla Murabba is a practical and healthy way to avoid wastage. Amla Murabba is a traditional Indian preserve made with Indian gooseberries soaked in sugar syrup. By using leftover chashni, you can skip the process of making the syrup from scratch. The chashni lends a sweet touch to the tartness of the amla, resulting in a delicious and healthy preserve. Amla Murabba is often consumed for its health benefits and is a great dish to prepare during Diwali.
Carrot Sooji Sheera Balls
Carrot Sooji Sheera Balls made with leftover sugar syrup (chashni) offer a creative twist on the traditional sheera recipe. These delightful treats combine carrots, milk powder, and leftover syrup to create a quick and delicious dessert. They are perfect for picnics, potlucks, or even a healthy snack for children after school. These semolina sheera balls are an ideal option when you want to enjoy a sweet treat after the festive sweets are finished. They are easy to prepare and a great way to satisfy cravings for something sweet in a wholesome way.
Sweet Rice (Zarda Pulao)
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Another delicious use of leftover chashni is to prepare Sweet Rice, also known as Zarda Pulao. This festive rice dish is cooked by adding pre-soaked rice into the syrup, allowing it to absorb the sweetness. You can enhance the dish by adding nuts, raisins, saffron, and cardamom for extra flavour. The result is a fragrant and colourful rice dish that pairs well with other festive foods. It’s a unique way to incorporate leftover chashni into a main course.
Diwali is a time to celebrate with food, family, and traditions. Leftover chashni from sweets like Gulab Jamun can be creatively reused to prepare a variety of delightful dishes. The possibilities are endless, from traditional treats like Shahi Tukda and Malpua to lighter options like fruit bowls. By reusing the leftover syrup, you cannot only prevent waste but also continue enjoying the sweetness long after the celebrations are over.