the storied recipe 

Bengali Malpua

Instant Malpua

Malpua are fluffy, light, fried pancakes soaked in fragrant syrup. They are one of the most famous of all Indian desserts and associated with many Indian gods, goddesses, and festivals.

This Bengali version is from my podcast guest Rai, the National Spelling Bee champion in all of India. In her episode, she shares all about the festival of Holi and her memories making and eating malpua for Holi.

Basic Ingredients

– 1 1/4 cups AP flour ) – 6 tbsp milk powder – 3 tbsp semolina  – 2 tbsp white sugar – 1/2 tsp baking powder – 1 tsp fennel seeds  – A small pinch of salt – 1 1/2 cups milk FOR SYRUP – white sugar – cardamom  – saffron strands

Easy Instructions

Whisk together the flour, milk powder, semolina, sugar, baking powder, salt and fennel seeds. Pour the milk into the dry ingredients, whisking continuously to achieve a smooth batter

Make the syrup

Let the batter rest while you combine sugar, water, cardamom, and saffrong. Boil until it reaches a "one string consistency". 

Bengali Malpua

A unique podcast that effortlessly crosses the lines between the cooking, documentary, and culture genres.  Global guests share heritage and memories through their cherished recipes.