Ingredients
Method
How to Make Soft Cheese Dumplings
- Prepare the Cottage Cheese: Boil 1 liter of milk and add vinegar to curdle it. Strain and remove excess water to get fresh cottage cheese.
- Make the Sugar Syrup: In a pan, combine sugar and water, and bring it to a gentle boil until it forms a light syrup.
- Cook the Saffron Milk: In another pan, boil milk with saffron, cardamom powder, chopped almonds, and sugar. Let it simmer for about 30 minutes to infuse the flavors.
- Knead the Cheese: Take the fresh cottage cheese and knead it with soft hands for 2–3 minutes until smooth and pliable.
- Shape the Dumplings: Roll the kneaded cheese into small balls.
- Cook in Sugar Syrup: Drop the dumplings into the boiling sugar syrup on high flame. Cook for 10 minutes until they puff up.
- Cool and Serve: Transfer the dumplings to cold water, squeeze gently, then pour them into the saffron milk. Garnish with dried rose petals and pumpkin seeds before serving.
Tips & Tricks
- Ensure the cottage cheese is smooth and free of lumps for soft dumplings.
- Keep the sugar syrup at a rolling boil for the dumplings to puff perfectly.
- Garnish creatively with nuts and dried flowers for a festive presentation.
- Serve warm or chilled, depending on your preference.
Variations
- Nutty Delight: Add chopped pistachios or cashews inside the dumplings for extra texture.
- Chocolate Twist: Drizzle some melted chocolate over saffron milk for a fusion dessert.
- Rose Lovers: Increase dried rose petals for a fragrant floral touch.
Notes
FAQs
Q1: Can I make these cheese dumplings ahead of time?Yes! You can prepare the dumplings and sugar syrup in advance. Store the cooked dumplings in the syrup in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Add saffron milk and garnish just before serving. Q2: Can I use store-bought paneer/cottage cheese?
Absolutely! Use fresh, soft paneer or cottage cheese for the best results. Avoid store-bought cheese that is too dry or crumbly. Q3: Can I make them sugar-free?
Yes, you can replace sugar with a sugar substitute like stevia or erythritol, adjusting sweetness to taste. Q4: Can I freeze cheese dumplings?
It’s not recommended to freeze after cooking in sugar syrup as the texture may change. You can, however, freeze the kneaded cheese balls uncooked and cook them fresh when needed. Q5: How do I make them extra soft?
Knead the cheese thoroughly until smooth and pliable. Ensure the sugar syrup is boiling when you add the dumplings so they puff up nicely. Q6: Can I use other nuts for garnish?
Yes! Almonds, cashews, pistachios, or even toasted coconut flakes work beautifully for garnish.
Nutrition (Approximate per serving – 2 dumplings)
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Protein: 8 g
- Fat: 10 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Sugar: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g