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- Although most sweet dishes have radically different procedure of
cooking, the sugar syrup used in them is generally made in one set
pattern. The consistency may however change from recipe to
recipe. Consistency in sugar syrup is measure by the thread
test. Whenever slightly cooled syrup checked by the pinch method,
between indexfinger and thumb, it forms threads depending on how much
it has boiled. If no thread is form and pinching shows only wateriness
then no thread is formed.
- Following is the thread test (tar) to check required consistency
of syrup (chashni). If no thread is formed, but there is stickiness in
the syrup when tested, then it is 3/4 tar (thread). This consistency
is generally used in dipping sweets like, gulabjamoon, boondi, jalebi,
imarti, etc. Boil some more and when 1 tar forms, it is used in
soaking pancake pancakes like malpua. On further boiling two tars are
obtained and this is used in sweets like burfis, mohanthal, etc. At
this stage a drop of syrup dropped on a plate will form a soft ball
when cooled. After this stage do no stir briskly and continuously or
the sugar will recrystallise. Still further boiling will form 2 1/2 to
3 tars and this syrup is used to get a white coating of sugar on
sweets like balushahi, surti ghari, etc. At this stage when the syrup
is dropped in a plate it will form a hard ball when cooled.
- Following are the steps shown to make sugar syrup (chashni) in the right way.
- Take sugar and water in the ratio of 2 : 1 1/2 unless other wise mentioned.
- Put both in a deep saucepan to boil, stirring occasionally.
- When the mixture comes to a boil, add 1/2 cup milk.
- When a thick scum is formed on the surface of syrup, it is time to strain.
- Always use a metal strainer or moist cloth to strain the hot syrup, never plastic.
- Put back to boil, checking the consistency required as above.
- Check frequently, because once the first thread forms, it proceeds to thicken to the next stages very quickly.
- Use as required in the recipe.
- Make syrup side by side of making the recipe, reheating the syrup too many times will alter the texture of the resulting sweet dish.
- To save time, prepare the syrup on a second burner, while making the rest of the recipe. This will avoid excess wastage of time and unnecessary cooling off, of the fried flours, etc. as the recipe demands.
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