Jalebis! When I think of Jalebis, I instantly think of this nostalgic ad from Doordarshan days (note I did not state ‘good old doordarshan days’ LOL for good reasons! ) where a little boy who wants to run away from home due to a tiff is easily lured back home with the promise of ‘home-made’ hot jalebis! 🙂
What a cute ad and wow the thought of those hot jalebis can instantly make your mouth water! But how do you make these? Funny until recently the thought of making jalebis never crossed my mind! One of my friends sometime ago had told me that she makes jalebis using a ‘squeeze bottle’ – the kind you get in Wal-mart or dollar stores in the US. So that had stuck in my mind. Last week when I went to Wal-mart , it so happened that right at the entrance I noticed these squeeze bottles -pack of 3 for $4.95! So I picked those instantly thinking not about storing any sauce or marinade of course but purely thinking of ‘jalebis’! 🙂 Btw, you can also buy these bottles at amazon.
And that is how I ended up making jalebis! For the recipe, I looked up several recipes and youtube videos and finally made my own version as a mixed up version of several recipes based on ingredients that I had on hand. I also decided to make the traditional version where you need to ferment the batter for 24 hours or overnight instead of the instant version which uses yeast for fermentation. So how did the jalebis turn out? hmmm…yum yum…just so yummy and so scrumptious! I brought these to a get together at a friend’s place and we devoured these washing them down with hot steaming cups of tea!
The fried jalebis need to be dipped and soaked in sugar syrup. And this is the step where you can control the sugar – I just lightly dipped them in the sugar syrup (not allowing them to soak completely) So the jalebis were really crunchy and sweet and yet not filled with sugar syrup as the ones that you buy from the store/sweet shop. So here’s the recipe. Enjoy! Hey, no fun in life if you don’t indulge once in a while, right? What’s the point of living till 90 if you can’t eat one jalebi 🙂
I am bringing these jalebis to Fiesta Friday too!
Jalebi is one of my favorite Indian sweets! And gulab jamoon and ras ghula and barfi and… Well you get the point! ??? My mom is Indian and she loves to make sweets for Divali 🙂
ha ha! You are a true Indian then! 🙂 jalebi and gulab jamun are my favs too! 🙂
I am very proud of my roots! I’m making phulorie tomorrow! Do you know what that is?
No I don’t …but would love to know! 🙂
It’s ground dhal *split pea* powder mixed with flour and spices and you deep fry the balls and serve with mango or tamarind chutney! I’ll take pics 😉
ooh sounds so tasty! Incidentally I am just typing up a mango chutney post! 🙂
Great minds think alike!! Can’t wait to see it! Maybe I will try your recipe instead!
Jalebis my favourite. And just as crisp as they should be ☺
thanks! it was so yummy! Now you reminded me that I need to make them again! 🙂
Haha☺Beam up some for me this time. Mmm…crispy golden juicy jalebis. ..mmm…drooòl…
Jalebi’s looks too good!! I love jalebi’s…
thanks so much! yes these were good! 🙂
??
hahah! you brought back old memories, Indu. Distinctly remember the ad! 🙂 You made some mouthwatering jalebis here. If only I could pick one up right now!
thanks. yes they came out pretty good – I was quite nervous since I was trying them for the first time! But it’s not as hard as it seems! 🙂
I really love these. There’s nothing quite like them when they’re warm to hot just after soaking. So many things to make, so little time!
Thanks for the great instructions.
You are very welcome! And I agree on the ‘so many things to make but so little time’! I feel the same way! 🙂
[…] sweet Indian pastries. I can see it now: coffee, sun, sitting back, a weekend breakfast, and jalebis. We had sun for a few hours last Saturday, so I’ve scheduled these for the next time the sun […]
The ad was a nice and cute blast from the past 🙂 The jalebis look lovely!
I am glad you enjoyed the ad! thanks! 🙂
What a very interesting recipe and I love how it looks. Never had these before – you have really introduced me to a number of new dishes 🙂
thanks Judi! yes these both look and taste good! And I am glad that I am able to introduce you to new dishes! 🙂
Yum…It looks perfect and delicious too….
thanks chitra! 🙂
“What’s the point of living till 90 if you can’t eat one jalebi ”
…I agree! 🙂
Fantastic recipe and stunning photos!
thanks so much! 🙂
That ad is exactly what comes to my mind too when I think of jalebis 🙂 Yours look quite perfect! Yummmmm…
thanks Naina! yes they were delicious and gone pretty fast! 🙂
Yumm, Love jalebies, I’ll take a dozen please. I too never thought of making these, but thanks to you and your research, you’ve come up with a great recipe.
thanks so much Loretta. Do try it and let me know how you like them! 🙂 And I wish I could send you a dozen! 🙂
Beautiful!
thanks so much Susan! Jalebi is an indulgence you can have once in a while right? And making them at home allows you to control the sugar to some extent:)
What’s life without indulgences?? Of course. And these are really interesting to me, because I had never seen them before. They look kind of fancy and fun to do!!
yes do try making them if you get a chance:)
What perfect Roundels of jalebi Indu! I love that ad when the kid used to squeak jalebi :))).
thanks Sonal. yes isn’t that such a cute ad! 🙂
These look pretty good, even for home cooks who are trying to avoid sugar! The teenaged son would probably enjoy them.
I’ve now linked to this in a post with my favourite desserts from the week. I hope you like how I’ve done it. Please let me know if you want something changed. I figured it would be the only way to make myself ever try them for myself.
Your Jalebis look perfect and absolutely amazing with the pistachio on the top, Indu 🙂 We call them Zalabiya, very popular during Ramadan month 🙂 Thank you for sharing this recipe!
Thanks Linda! so this is popular in the middle east too! Nice to know that its cslled zalabiya!
Are they similar to funnel cake?? 😀 These are so cute and I bet delicious, too! 🙂 Have a lovely week!
Hi jhuls yes these are similar to funnel cakes in the shape but these are deep fried! Yes these ate so delicious- the problem is you cant stop at one!?
Home made jalebis.. wonderful!
thank you Mr Fitz! yes these turned out great – exceeded my expectations! 🙂
What an interesting treat, Indu! I’ve never had the pleasure of having jalebis before. Clearly I’m missing out on some fried goodness. Great technique with the squeeze bottle, too!
Thanks Ngan and wish I could really eshare these with you. I am sure you will love them!
I love jalebis! This is great party food, Indu 🙂
Thanks Ahila. Yes jalebis mean party time right? ?
I just watched the jalebi ad… It is really cute! 🙂
isn’t it ? 🙂
[…] Indu […]
I need a squeeze bottle right now! I love deep fried treats, so thank you for bringing these to the party! My kitchen does not, however, love deep fry (clean up). I like that you varied the sugar syrup and it’s nice to know that you don’t have to totally drown them in syrup for them to be delicious!
You are absolutely right about these tasting good even without dunking them totally in the sugar syrup. Thanks so much for your comments you should try these! ?
I loved the trip down memory lane with the “jalebi” ad. 🙂 Your jalebis look absolutely perfect; crisp, golden and just the right touch of syrup.
Thanks Aruna! Yes isnt that ad so sweet? And the jalebis indeed came out good way over my expectations! ?
🙂