Ras malai
Ras malai or rossomalai is a dessert originating from the eastern regions of the Indian subcontinent, possibly Bengal. The name ras malai is the Hindi[2] cognate of Bengali: rosh, meaning "juice", and malai, meaning "cream". It has been described as "a rich cheesecake without a crust".[3] The sweet is of Bengali origin; according to K.C. Das Grandsons, it was invented by K.C. Das.[1] It is also a popular dessert in Pakistan.[4]
Alternative names | Rossomalai, Roshmolai |
---|---|
Course | Dessert |
Region or state | Bengal region of the Indian subcontinent |
Associated national cuisine | India, Bangladesh, Pakistan |
Created by | Possibly K. C. Das[1] |
Serving temperature | Cold |
Main ingredients | Chhena, malai, sugar |
Variations | Comilla's rosho malai |
Similar dishes | Rasgulla |
Origin and etymology
It is believed to have originated somewhere in Eastern India, presumably in the Bengal region.[5] The K.C. Das Grandsons confectioners claims that it was invented by K.C. Das, but this claim is said to be "impossible to verify".[1]
According to The Diner's Dictionary: Word Origins of Food and Drink published by Oxford University Press "The term comes from Hindi raś 'juice', and malai 'cream'.[6]
Ingredients
Ras malai consists of flattened balls of chhana soaked in malai (clotted cream) flavoured with cardamom. Milk is boiled and a bit of vinegar or lime juice is added to split it. The whey is discarded and the milk solids are drained, cooled and kneaded into a dough. The dough is divided into small balls and the balls are cooked in hot water with a bit of rose water added. The balls are then cooked in milk with saffron, pistachios and kheer as stuffing.
Variations
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Different types of rasmalai can be found in different areas. In Dhaka and Rangpur, the rasmalais are similar in shape to the rasgullas.[7]
See also
References
- Michael Krondl (2011). Sweet Invention: A History of Dessert. Chicago Review Press. pp. 71–72. ISBN 978-1-55652-954-2.
- Ayto, John (2012). The Diner's Dictionary: Word Origins of Food and Drink. OUP Oxford. p. 301. ISBN 978-0-19-964024-9. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
- Catherine Soanes, Angus Stevenson (2003). Oxford Dictionary of English (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press. p. 1459. ISBN 0198613474.
- Shavelson, Paul (2015). Flat Food, Flat Stomach: The Law of Subtraction. Post Hill Press. ISBN 978-1-61868-932-0. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
- http://www.indiamarks.com/ras-malai-a-milk-based-dessert-india/
- Ayto, John (2012). ras-mal%C4%81i%20is%20the%20urdu%7CHindi&f=false The Diner's Dictionary: Word Origins of Food and Drink. OUP Oxford. p. 301. ISBN 9780199640249.
- Mahmud Nasir Jahangiri (2012). "Sweetmeats". In Sirajul Islam and Ahmed A. Jamal (ed.). Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Second ed.). Asiatic Society of Bangladesh.