Rasgulle ki sabzi recipe might sound like something completely bizarre that is borderline blasphemy. You might be imagining the syrup-soaked ragullas, which is not the case for this recipe. This recipe features the rasgullas before they reach the sweet stage. The recipe for making the rasulla balls from milk remains the same, with the milk splitting and producing chenna that is drained and turned into spongy balls, which are then cooked into a curry.
In this sabzi recipe, soft homemade paneer rasgullas are first lightly pan-fried in butter, and then simmered in a velvety cashew-poppy seed and tomato gravy layered with whole and ground spices. A lot of ingredients go into the gravy and also a lot of effort in making the rasgullas, so consider making this recipe for your weekend dinner or lunch and surprise someone today.
If time is short, you can buy chenna from the store, not ragullas, as those are sold as a mithai, not the savoury version you need for this sanzi recipe. The gravy for this rasgulle ki sabzi draws inspiration from the typical Mughlai-style North Indian cooking with an onion and tomato base enriched with a khuskhus-cashew paste, ginger-garlic, and a generous finishing of kasuri methi and cream. Serve with hot roti, paratha, kulcha, or naan for a complete meal.
Ingredients
UNITSIngredients
3 cupsSkimmed milk (For the Paneer Rasgullas)
1½ cupsSkimmed curd
for boilingWater
as neededHot salted water (For soaking)
3 mediumOnion (boiled and ground to a smooth paste) For the Gravy
2 mediumTomato (boiled and ground to a smooth paste)
2 tbspCashew nuts (soaked in warm water, for paste)
1 tbspPoppy seeds (soaked in warm water, for paste)
75 gCashew nuts (halved, for roasting and garnish)
½ tbspGinger paste
½ tbspGarlic paste
2 tbspKasuri methi
½ tspTurmeric powder
2 tspRed chilli powder
1 tbspCoriander powder
1 tspCumin powder
1 tspGaram masala
¼ cupMilk (or cream)
½ cupWater
3 tbspOil
1 tbspButter (for frying rasgullas) and more for gravy
Boil the milk in a thick-bottomed pan on medium-low heat. Once boiling, lower the heat and add the curd while stirring. The milk will begin to curdle.
Description - Step 2
Step 2: Separating, Straining and Resting the chenna
Once the whey and milk solids separate, strain it through a muslin cloth, reserving the whey for something else. Then wash the chenna to remove the sourness from it. Rest for 30 minutes, squeezing out excess water.
Description - Step 3
Step 3: Preparing the chenna and making the rasgullas
Transfer the chenna to a flat surface and knead firmly for 7-8 minutes until the mixture is smooth, soft, and dough-like with no graininess. Divide into approximately 14 small equal portions and roll into smooth, crack-free balls. Bring a wide pot of water to a boil. Drop the chenna balls in carefully, cover, and boil for 7-8 minutes. They will puff up. Remove and transfer immediately to a bowl of hot salted water and soak for 20 minutes.
Description - Step 4
Step 4: Prepping the gravy
While the rasgullas soak, prepare the gravy components: soak the 2 tbsp cashews and 1 tbsp khuskhus together in warm water for 10-15 minutes. Drain and grind to a smooth, thick paste. Keep aside. Separately, prepare the boiled onion paste and boiled tomato paste if not done already.
Description - Step 5
Step 5: Frying the rasgullas
Squeeze the hot salted water gently from each rasgulla. Heat 1 tsp butter in a non-stick pan over medium heat. Add the rasgullas and pan-fry, turning occasionally, until they develop a light golden colour on the surface. Remove and keep aside. This step adds a slight crust that helps the rasgullas hold up in the gravy without going mushy.
Description - Step 6
Step 6: Building the gravy
Heat the oil and butter together in a wide pan over medium heat. Add the cumin seeds, bay leaf, cinnamon stick, and any whole red chillies. Sauté for a minute until fragrant. Add the boiled onion paste and cook for 2-3 minutes. Add the ginger paste and garlic paste and cook for another minute. Add the tomato paste, stir well, and cook until the mixture thickens and oil begins to separate at the sides.
Description - Step 7
Step 7: Adding the spices and cashew paste
Add turmeric powder, red chilli powder, coriander powder, cumin powder, and garam masala. Mix thoroughly and cook for 2 minutes. Add the soaked cashew-poppy seed paste and stir it into the masala. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, stirring continuously to prevent sticking, until the raw smell of the paste is gone.
Description - Step 8
Step 8: Finishing the gravy
In a separate pan, roast the halved cashews in a little butter until golden brown. Set aside. Pour milk (or cream) into the gravy and stir well. Cook for 5-7 minutes on medium heat until the gravy is smooth and rich. Crush kasuri methi between your palms and add to the pan. Mix and cook for 1 minute.
Description - Step 9
Step 9: Adding the rasgullas and simmering
Gently add the pan-fried paneer rasgullas and most of the roasted cashews to the gravy. Mix carefully; do not break the rasgullas. Add water and let the sabzi simmer uncovered on medium heat for 5 minutes so the rasgullas absorb the gravy's flavour. Transfer to a serving bowl. Top with remaining roasted cashews and chopped fresh coriander. Serve immediately with roti, paratha, kulcha, or naan.
Step 1
Step 1: Boiling the milk to make the rasgullas
10 Minutes
Step 2
Step 2: Separating, Straining and Resting the chenna
35 minutes
Step 3
Step 3: Preparing the chenna and making the rasgullas
A. Yes. If using store-bought rasgullas, squeeze out all the sugar syrup thoroughly, soak in hot salted water for 10 minutes, squeeze again, then follow the rest of the sabzi recipe.
A. In this sabzi recipe, khuskhus thickens the gravy. Substitute with an extra tablespoon of soaked cashews or a tablespoon of unsweetened fresh coconut paste.
A. Pan-frying the rasgullas in butter before adding them to the sabzi recipe creates a light outer crust that helps them hold their shape. Simmer on medium heat and cook carefully.
A. Replace milk with fresh cream for a richer, more indulgent gravy. You can also add a tablespoon of khoya (mawa) along with the cashew paste for extra body for this rasgulle ki sabzi recipe.