Hello there

I've just had a go at making the quick condensed milk barfis (basic ones) and I must have done something wrong as I've ended up with something that's a bit like soft toffee. Part of the problem I think is that I'm not sure what the barfi should look like and what the consistency should be when I remove it from the pan. Should it be quite runny still or should it be so thick that it's difficult to stir it anymore?

Also, Mamta, I was wondering about when you say cook the barfi until it is one mass coming away from the edges of the pan. Does cook mean to boil it, simmer it or cook very gently so that it's not bubbling at all? I'm sure I'm making a mistake with this too.

Having never even made English sweets, like fudges etc., I'm very ignorant about this! Can anybody help? I've made two attempts now and don't want to give up, so would really like any advice. Also, my Mum, who's really good at making fudge is away this week - what a pity!

Amanda

Hello Amanda

Condensed milk Burfi is slightly different in texture from the Mawa/khoya one, but it should not be toffee like, unless you made it just with milk. If you cook the condensed milk too much, it will become toffee. Did you make it with just the milk or added other ingredients like almonds/coconut etc. to it?

When I say cook, it is on moderate heat, cooking briskly, stirring constantly, until the bulk begins to come of the edges, just like when you make semolina halwa. It looks like bubbling of thick mud that you see in a geyser, blub, blub, blub! LOL!

I have two recipes for fudge here, none of them mine :

Chocolate-Cherry Fudge http://www.mamtaskitchen.com/recipe_display.php?id=13093

Clair?s English http://www.mamtaskitchen.com/recipe_display.php?id=10533

The nearest you come to a fudge in Indian sweets is Mysore Pak http://www.mamtaskitchen.com/recipe_display.php?id=10231

Mum will be back and then you can ask her to teach you!

Mamta

Hello Mamta

Thanks very much. I think maybe I went wrong because I just made the basic barfi and didn't realise I needed to add coconut or almonds etc. I did try the chocolate version as well, but probably I didn't make it bubble enough as I was a bit scared of burning it or making it stick. I'll try again today and let you know how I get on.

Thanks for the fudge recipes too. Spoke to my Mum yesterday and she tells me fudge is very difficult, so I think I'll definitely wait for her to come round before I attempt that!

Amanda

Hello Mamta

I just wanted to let you know that I've had some success with the barfis. I made the condensed milk ones with almonds this time, allowing the mixture to bubble like a geyser and it worked! I also added some chopped glace cherries which went well.

My Mum, my 1 year old daughter and my husband (who doesn't usually like Indian sweets) all ate loads!

Amanda