Paal Poli / Milk Poli

Paal Poli, also known as Milk Poli, is a mouthwatering dessert that hails from the southern regions of India, particularly Tamil Nadu and Kerala. This indulgent treat combines the crispy texture of fried dough with the rich sweetness of milk, creating a dessert that's both satisfying and memorable.

At its core, Paal Poli consists of two main components:

• Poli: A flat bread made from refined flour (maida), which is rolled thin and deep-fried until golden and crispy.
• Paal: A sweet milk reduction flavored with cardamom and sometimes saffron.

The fried poli is immersed in the warm, sweetened milk, allowing it to soak up the flavors while still retaining some crispiness.

Paal Poli offers a delightful contrast of textures - the slight crunch of the fried bread against the smooth, creamy milk. The cardamom adds a fragrant aroma, while the sweetened milk provides a rich, comforting taste.

Serving Suggestions:

Paal Poli is typically served warm or at room temperature. It's often enjoyed as a dessert after meals or as a special treat during festivals and celebrations. Some variations include garnishing with chopped nuts or a sprinkle of saffron for added luxury.

This dessert holds a special place in South Indian cuisine, often prepared during festivals like Diwali or for special occasions. Its relatively simple ingredients.

Ingredients:

For Poli:

• Maida – 1 cup
• Salt – a pinch
• Water – for mixing the dough
• Oil or Ghee – for deep frying the poli

For Sweet Milk:

• Milk – 4 cups
• Sugar – ½ cup
• Cardamom Powder – ½ tsp.

Method:

For Making Poli:

• Take maida and salt in a bowl and mix to a thick dough as that for poori.
• Knead well for five minutes.
• Take small portions of the dough and roll into pooris of diameter 4 inch.
• Fold the poori into half and again fold into a triangle.
• Make all the dough into pooris in the same manner.
• Heat oil or ghee and fry pooris and drain in a colander.

For Making Sweet Milk: 

• In a heavy bottomed pan, boil milk and add sugar.
• Mix well till the sugar dissolves.
• Add cardamom powder and mix well and switch off the stove.

For Making Paal Poli:

• Put the fried polis in the milk and turn it over gently.
• Soak in the milk for 15 minutes.
• Paal Poli is ready to serve.