Recipe: A Festive Bengali Dessert For Makar Sankranti
70 mins
Cooking Time
Intermediate
Difficulty
17
Ingredients
Veg
Diet
Makar Sankranti is incomplete without indulging in the comforting sweetness of Dudh Puli. This traditional Bengali dessert features soft rice flour dumplings filled with jaggery and coconut, which are then gently cooked in thickened milk until rich and creamy. Each mouthful offers a gentle sweetness, a lovely fragrance, and a sense of deep contentment. This classic dish is perfect for sharing with loved ones during the festivities.
Heat jaggery with a splash of water until it melts. Add crushed cardamom and ghee. Mix in scraped coconut and cook on medium heat, stirring continuously. Once the mixture thickens, add milk powder, mix it well, and then turn off the heat. Let the mixture cool completely.
Description - Step 2
Step 2: Prepare the rice flour dough
Heat 1 cup of water in a pan and turn off the flame once boiled. Add coconut paste and rice flour slowly, stirring well to avoid lumps. When it comes together, add ghee and knead gently while warm until soft and smooth. Cover with a damp cloth to keep it moist.
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Step 3: Shape the dudh puli
Take a small portion of dough and flatten it into a thin disc. Place a spoonful of stuffing in the centre. Fold and seal the edges carefully, shaping them into a crescent. Repeat for all dumplings.
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Step 4: Prepare the jaggery syrup
Heat jaggery with ¼ cup of water until fully melted. Stir into a thin syrup and set aside.
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Step 5: Cook the dudh puli
Bring milk to a gentle boil in a deep pan. In a small bowl, mix rice flour with a little milk to make a smooth paste and add it to the boiling milk. Now, add the milk powder and give it a good mix. Gently slide in the shaped pulis and cook on a low flame until they soften. Lastly, pour in the prepared jaggery syrup and simmer for a few more minutes.
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Step 6: Rest and serve
Turn off the heat and let the dudh puli rest for a few minutes. Serve it warm for comfort or chilled for a refreshing twist.