Paal Poli is a traditional south Indian sweet made during the festivals. If I am not wrong Paal Poli originated from Karnataka but, it is common in TamilNadu as well. Check out the recipe for Popular Chettinad Paal Paniyaram.
Paal Poli is one easiest and versatile traditional sweet/dessert. You can prepare Paal Poli a day before and assemble just before serving. The fried Poli can be stored in an airtight container for a few days. So whenever you feel like eating Paal poli take a few fried poli from the jar and enjoy with the sweetened milk. So simple isn’t.
Coming to the ingredients the dough for the poli is made of fine semolina.Two different Semolina Coarse and fine, both are easily available in the market. Make sure to buy fine semolina. If you are not able to find fine semolina in your area then just pulse the coarse semolina for a second. Reduced sweetened milk and the texture of the Semolina is what makes paal poli different from deep-fried poori soaked in milk and sugar. I Know some people use only all-purpose flour, all-purpose and semolina blend but I prefer to make the poli with semolina.
Ingredients:
For the Milk:
- 3 cup of whole milk (Use coconut Milk for vegan version)
- 6 tbsp of white sugar(adjust to taste)
- 3 green cardamom, crushed
For the Poli dough:
- 1/2 cup of fine semolina
- 4 tbsp of water
- 1/4 tsp of salt
For the Poli:
required oil for deep fry
Procedure:
Step 1: Milk to soak the poli:
1. In a heavy bottom saucepan, Over medium-low heat simmer the whole milk to 3 quarters of its quantity.
2. Add the sugar and crushed cardamom and continue to simmer the milk until the sugar is dissolved.
3. During the whole process frequently stir the milk.
4. Once the sugar is dissolved, turn off the stove and let the milk cool down to room temperature.
5. Strain the milk and refrigerate if you like the cold milk.
Step 2: Dough for Paal Poli:
1. In a bowl combine the fine semolina and salt.
2. Add a tablespoon of water at a time and make a dough.
3. Once the dough is formed, keep kneading for 2 minutes. It will make the dough soft.
4. Grease the down with 1/4 tsp of oil and roll the dough with a wet kitchen cloth.
5. Cover the bowl with a plate and let the dough rest for 20 minutes. If your dough is not soft then, rest the dough up to an hour.
Step 4: Roll and fry the Poli
1. Take a small lemon size portion of dough and roll it into thin circles. Size. Roll the dough as thin as possible.
2. While rolling if the dough sticks, oil the roller with some oil.
3. Make four to 5 circles at a time.
4. Heat the required oil for deep fry. Maintain the heat at medium-high and slowly place one prepared circle into the oil.
5. When the poli comes up, Keep pushing the poli with a flat ladle until the poli puffs up.
6. once puffed upturn over the poli and cook for a second.
7. Sometimes the poli might not puff up that’s fine. Cook each side of poli for 2 to 3 seconds longer than that might make the poli hard. The color of the fried poli should look white.
8. Wait till the fried poli cools down.
Step 5:
1. Take the Prepared milk from the refrigerator, if refrigerated.
2. Soak the fried poli into the cold milk one by one for 5 seconds or so. Fold the Soaked poli as you like and arrange them in a serving plate.
3. While serving add prepared milk over the poli. Garnish with some nuts/coconuts/fruits/tutti fruiti/chocolates.
Ta da Paal Poli is ready to serve!
Note:
1. you could serve the Paal Poli hot or cold or at normal temperature.
2. if you want to serve the Poli hot then just before serving warm up the prepared milk and pour the warm milk over the soaked polis.
