WOYP Day # 56 Mango Rasgullas

Rasgulla or Roshogolla (Bengali) or Rosogola (Oriyan) was first made in Orissa (now Odisha). Bengal, Orissa’s neighboring state also has a version of the Rasgulla, slightly different in taste, color and texture. Ras means juice and golla is ball. Typically Rasgullas are white and not flavored. They are pillowy soft and spongy melt-in-the-mouth balls of paneer (before it is set) in a light sweet syrup. 

 
I’ve made my fair share of Rasmalais over the years (I've lost count, hundreds for sure!!:D ) which requires making Rasgullas first and then boiled in flavored milk. So making Rasgollas isn’t new to me at all, but I wanted to try a flavor twist to it. I had canned Mango puree on hand and thus Mango Rasgullas were born! You can use fresh mango pulp but I think with all the cooking the flavor will be mellowed and lost so for these Rasgullas I do highly recommend canned Mango pulp. Its stronger in flavor, color and taste. The recipe below can easily be doubled. 

 

Mango Rasgullas
Makes: 10 small Rasgullas

You will need:

2.5 cups Whole milk
2 tbsp Vinegar or Lemon juice
1/3 cup Mango pulp (fresh or canned)
1 tsp Semolina (Rava)

For the syrup:
2 cups water
1 cup Sugar
3 pods Green Cardamom
Few drops Mango extract 

Finely chopped unsalted Pistachios (optional) 

Heat milk in a medium pan. Stir to prevent burning. Bring to a boil and then add the vinegar or lemon juice. Stir to split the milk. Turn off heat and allow to sit for a minute.

Line a colander with a cheesecloth or thin cloth. Strain the split milk and rinse the Paneer under running cold water. This removes the vinegar/lemon juice residue. Don’t skip this step or else you will end up with very sour tasting Rasgullas!!

Squeeze out as much water as you possibly can from the Paneer. It doesn’t need to fully dry but not soggy either. 

 
Remove from the cloth into a shallow plate. Knead gently for 2-3 minutes until the mixture comes together. Add 2 tablespoons of the mango purée and the semolina. Knead to combine. 

 
Divide into 10 equal balls. Prepare the syrup. Combine water, sugar and cardamom in a pressure cooker. Bring to a rolling boil. Add 2 tablespoons of mango pulp and few drops of the mango extract. When the water begins to boil add the Paneer balls. Close the lid and turn the heat to high. Place weight on the cooker and allow it to whistle once. Then turn down the heat to low and cook for 8 minutes.

The first blast of pressure allows the balls to double in size, and the cooking time allows it to cook slowly and soften in the process. 

 
Turn off heat and cool before opening the lid. Remove the rosgullas to a bowl carefully since they are fragile. Add remaining mango purée to the syrup and boil for 5-6 minutes until thickened. Return the rasgullas to the syrup. Cool completely before serving. Top with chopped Pistachios if using.

 
Spongy Mango Rasgullas are easy to make and taste absolutely delicious!  I think I might have to make another batch very soon :D These lasted only until I took pics haha!