DAIRY-FREE RASMALAI

“Cheese” Balls:

• 🍴1 ½ cups raw cashews, pre-soaked and strained
• 🍴3 tbsp lemon juice
• 🍴5 tbsp maple syrup
• 🍴½ cup hot water (should be hot or very warm, not boiling)
• 🍴1/2 tsp salt according to taste

“Rabri” Sauce:

• 🍴1 cup hot boiled water
• 🍴a pinch of saffron
• 🍴2 cups raw cashews, pre-soaked and strained
• 🍴¾ cup maple syrup
• 🍴1/2 cup more water
• 🍴1 tbsp rose water
• 🍴½ tsp salt
• 🍴seeds from 2 green cardamom pods
• 🍴1/2 tsp cardamom powder

Garnish:

• 🍴a few tbsp chopped pistachios (or a mix of pistachios and almonds)
• 🍴a pinch of crushed dried edible rose petals

• 🍴Blend all “cheese” ball ingredients in a high-power blender until completely smooth. Pour this mixture into a nut-milk bag (over the sink), place the nut milk bag onto a small strainer over a bowl, gently twist the top of the nut milk bag closed, and refrigerate overnight (or for at least 8-10 hours).
• 🍴Once the “cheese” is ready, pre-heat the oven to 350F. Line a small baking sheet with some parchment paper and set it aside. When you open the nut milk bag you should have a formed softball of “cheese” at this stage and some liquid drained into the bowl underneath the strainer (the liquid can be discarded). Using a small cookie scoop (or can just use a spoon), scoop out about 2 tbsp of the “cheese” mixture and gently form it into a ball with your hands. Place this ball onto the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining mixture (spacing the balls on the tray at least an inch apart) — you should end up with 7 balls in total. Bake in a pre-heated oven for 15 mins, then remove from the oven and place on a cooling rack.
• 🍴While the “cheese” balls are baking, prepare the “rabri” sauce: place a pinch of saffron in a cup of freshly boiled water and allow to sit and steep for a few minutes (to infuse the water with the saffron flavor and color). Place this saffron water infusion (including the saffron strands) in a power blender. Add all remaining “rabri” ingredients and blend into a creamy smooth sauce.
• 🍴Once the “cheese” balls are baked, they can be enjoyed with the sauce. You can either divide them into small serving dishes and cover them with the “rabri” sauce or can place them all on one larger dish (or glass storage container). Garnish with pistachios and rose petals. Enjoy right away or allow the balls to sit in the “rabri” sauce in the fridge for a few hours to become more infused with the flavor of the sauce. Refrigerate leftovers.