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Singal
सिंगल: Kumaoni semolina, banana and curd spirals deep-fried for festivals
IndianSingal (also called singhal) are sweet, spongy spirals from Kumaon, fried for Diwali, weddings and the Harela festival and offered at the temple before the family eats them. A thick batter of semolina, ripe banana, curd and sugar rests until the semolina swells, then it is piped or poured in a spiral into hot ghee or oil. The outside turns crisp and the inside stays soft like a doughnut. The common mistake is frying straight away; unrested batter spreads into flat, greasy shapes. Chef's tip: the batter is right when it falls from a spoon in a thick ribbon that holds its shape for a second.
- Total time
- 75 min
- Difficulty
- medium
- Serves
- 6
Ingredients
For the batter
- 2 ripe bananasmashed smooth
- 5 ½ oz plain yoghurt (curd)
- 4 oz sugar
- ½ tsp ground cardamom
- ¼ cup milkas needed
For frying
- 3 cups ghee or sunflower oilfor deep-frying
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What you'll need
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Method
0/6 doneStep 1: Mix 9 oz fine semolina (sooji), 2 ripe bananas, 5 ½ oz plain yoghurt (curd), 4 oz sugar and ½ tsp ground cardamom into a thick batter.
5 minStep 2: Cover and rest for 45 minutes so the semolina swells.
45 minStep 3: Stir and add ¼ cup milk a spoon at a time until the batter falls in a thick ribbon.
2 minStep 4: Heat 3 cups ghee or sunflower oil in a deep kadhai, no more than a third full, to about 350°F: a drop of batter should rise slowly with small bubbles. Never leave the oil unattended.
6 minStep 5: Spoon the batter into a piping bag with a 1 cm hole (or a cloth with a hole) and pipe 8 cm spirals straight into the oil, 3 at a time.
5 minStep 6: Fry on medium heat for 3–4 minutes, turning once, until deep golden and crisp. Drain on paper and serve warm or at room temperature.
15 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 390 kcal
- Protein
- 6 g
- Carbs
- 62 g
- Fat
- 13 g
- Fibre
- 2 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does singal take?
- About 75 minutes in total: 50 minutes to prepare and 25 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 6 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- What can I use instead of ripe bananas?
- Mango, same weight (in smoothies and shakes).
- What can I use instead of plain yoghurt (curd)?
- Greek yoghurt loosened with a little milk.
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