Apple Jalebis

Ingredients

• Apple - 10 whole
• All-purpose flour or maida - 1/4 cup
• Baking soda - 1/4 tsp
• Sugar - 1 1/4 cup
• Sugar - 1 tsp
• Water - 2 cup
• Cardamom powder - 1 tsp
• Ghee or oil - 1 cup

Instructions

1. 1Wash the apples, peel them, and cut into medium round slices so each piece holds the batter well.
2. 2Make the batter: in a bowl, combine 1/4 cup all-purpose flour or maida, 1/4 tsp baking soda and 1 tsp sugar, then whisk in 1/4 cup water to a smooth, thick, lump-free batter.
3. 3Cover the batter and let it rest for 30 minutes to ferment and develop a light texture.
4. 4Prepare the sugar syrup: in a saucepan, bring 1 cup of water and 1 1/4 cup sugar to a boil, then simmer until it reaches a thread-like consistency; stir in 1 tsp cardamom powder for fragrance.
5. 5Heat ghee or oil in a deep pan over medium flame until hot enough for deep frying.
6. 6Dip each apple slice into the batter to coat it evenly, then carefully deep-fry over medium flame until both sides are golden brown and crisp.
7. 7Transfer the fried apple pieces into the warm sugar syrup, let them soak for a few seconds to glaze, then remove and drain briefly on a rack or paper towel.
8. 8Serve the apple jalebis warm so they are crisp at the edges and syrupy inside. Optional: garnish with chopped almonds or pistachios before serving.