It was the Marathi New Year known as Gudi Padwa last Sunday. Traditionally, shrikhand is the dessert made on this special occasion. But i didnt have a muslin cloth on me to drain the yogurt to make shrikhand and that is why i made Rasmalai (Bengali sweets are a favorite of mine, especially Mishti Doi). This is a quick and simple semi-homemade version of the rasmalai.


On the Marathi New Year, it is a custom to erect a gudi (flag) as a symbol of victory and prosperity and start the new year by drinking neem juice (crush the bitter neem leaves, add some water and drink it). Also on this day, the food that is prepared has no onions or garlic added to it.


Serves 6


1 can rasgulla
2 cans evaporated milk
1 cup 2% milk
5 tbsp sugar (or as per taste)
1/2 tsp cardamom powder
6-7 saffron strands (soaked in warm milk)
1/2 cup almonds, cashews and pistachios-crushed


1. Heat the evaporated milk and 2% milk for atleast an hour.
2. Next add the sugar, cardamom and saffron and let boil for 10-15 more minutes.
3. Squeeze out the rasgullas, add them to the boiling milk and let boil for another 15 minutes.
4. Remove from the stove and garnish with the almonds, cashews and pistachios.