🍏 Indian-Style Apple Dumplings with Spiced Sauce 🍯
Ingredients:
For the Dumplings:
- 4 medium apples (preferably crisp varieties like Granny Smith or Fuji)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (maida)
- 2 tbsp ghee or butter (for dough)
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp cardamom powder (elaichi)
- Pinch of salt
- Water (to knead dough)
- 1 tbsp melted ghee (for brushing)
For the Spiced Sauce:
- 1 cup jaggery or brown sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon powder (dalchini)
- 1/4 tsp cloves powder (laung)
- 1/4 tsp ginger powder (saunth) or freshly grated ginger
- 1/4 tsp black pepper powder (optional)
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- A few saffron strands (optional)
- 1 tsp rose water or kewra water (optional)
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Dough:
- In a mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder, sugar, cardamom powder, and salt.
- Add ghee and mix till it resembles breadcrumbs.
- Add water little by little to form a soft, pliable dough.
- Cover and keep aside.
2. Prepare the Apples:
- Core the apples from the center, leaving the bottom intact.
- You can peel them if you prefer, or keep the skin on for extra texture.
- Optionally, sprinkle a little cinnamon powder inside the hollow.
3. Wrap the Apples:
- Divide the dough into 4 equal portions.
- Roll each portion into a circle just large enough to wrap an apple.
- Place an apple in the center and wrap the dough around it, sealing the edges.
- Brush the dumplings with melted ghee.
4. Make the Sauce:
- In a saucepan, add water and jaggery/brown sugar.
- Heat and stir till the jaggery dissolves completely.
- Add cinnamon, cloves, ginger powder, black pepper, and saffron strands.
- Let it simmer for 8-10 minutes till it thickens slightly.
- Add lemon juice and rose water. Stir well and turn off heat.
5. Cook the Dumplings:
- Place the wrapped apples in a baking dish.
- Pour the spiced sauce over them.
- Cover the dish with foil and bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for 30-35 minutes or until apples are soft and dough is cooked.
- Alternatively, you can steam them on the stovetop in a covered vessel for 40-45 minutes.
6. Serve:
- Serve warm, drizzled with the spiced sauce.
- Garnish with chopped nuts (cashews, almonds) or a dollop of fresh cream or vanilla ice cream for a fusion touch.
