Indian cuisine is a globally renowned cuisine and is mostly popular because of its extensive range of curries and the use of exotic spices. But even though Indian curries are highly popular, did you ever try the Indian desserts? Indian cuisine is full of many pleasant surprises and the desserts are one of them. Just like the entrees, there is also an extensive range of desserts to choose from and each one of them is unique and delicious.
When you are dining out or getting the best Indian takeout NYC, you should definitely add some dessert to your plate in order to fully experience the Indian food experience. Since there are so many regions and ethnic groups in India, there is a wide assortment of desserts as well. The following are some of the most sought after sweet dishes that you must try.
Kheer
Completely traditional and absolutely mouth-watering, Kheer is a beloved Indian dessert. Made from scented rice, Kheer has the consistency of a pudding. The rice is cooked in milk until it reaches a thick and creamy consistency. Spices like cardamom, cloves, saffron, and bay leaves are added during cooking to induce subtle aroma and flavor in the dish, and nuts are used as a garnish on top. This creamy delicacy is the perfect closing to a hearty Indian meal.
Jalebi
This is one of the most loved Indian sweet dishes and has several variations across Asia and the Middle East. In its basic form, Jalebis are made from a mixture of flour, yogurt, and ghee, sometimes baking soda or yeast is also added to the batter. The batter is then poured in a hot wok of oil in a circular pattern to create its trademark shape and it is fried in the sizzling oil. The end result is a crispy delight, which is dunked in a thick, sweet syrup flavored with sugar, or jaggery, saffron, rosewater, and cardamom.
Kulfi
This is yet another popular Indian dessert that is enjoyed by people of all age groups. Kulfi is basically the Indian version of ice cream and has a very nutty and caramelized flavored. It is usually conical in shape and is flavored with nuts like pistachio, saffron, and rosewater, although sometimes it is flavored with fruits like berries, etc. Kulfi is quite a bit denser than regular ice cream and is much more concentrated. Nonetheless, it is a perfect fro9zen dessert for the summer months. When you are visiting an Indian restaurant in NY try Kulfi for your dessert.
Gulab Jamun
This is undoubtedly one of the leading dessert choices when it comes to Indian cuisine. Gulab Jamuns are basically milk solids kneaded into dough balls, which are then deep-fried in oil or ghee and dipped in a sugary concoction flavored with saffron, rosewater, and cardamom. The sweet balls have a distinct reddish-brown hue and are a big part of all the Indian festivities as well as weddings.
Gajar Ka Halwa
This is another delectable pudding made from grated carrots mixe4d with milk and sugar and garnished with pistachios, cashews, almonds, and raisins. This is an immensely popular sweet course that is often seen in all the Indian festivities. The unique blend of carrots and milk will totally melt in your mouth in a delicious burst of flavors. Try this dish when you get your next takeout from the best Indian takeout in NYC.
Ras Malai
This is a famous Indian dessert with a creamy milk base and cardamom flavored soft cheese pieces. The name Ras Malai is an amalgamation of two words Ras and Malai, where Ras means juice and Malai translate to cream. The cheese is rolled out in the form of a fluffy pancake and flavored with cardamom, which is dipped in a thick milk-based gravy. Almonds, cashews, saffron are usually added to the gravy in order to add a subtle nutty flavor. This dessert beautifully complements a satisfying meal.
