Shahi jilapi facts for kids
Traditional Shahi jilapi from Old Dhaka
|
|
| Type | Iftar, snacks |
|---|---|
| Course | Dessert |
| Place of origin | Chawkbazaar, Old Dhaka, Bangladesh |
| Region or state | Old Dhaka along with Bangladesh |
| Associated national cuisine | Bangladesh |
| Created by | cook of the Dhaka Nawab's kitchen |
| Serving temperature | Hot |
| Main ingredients | Mashkolai dal, Ghee, Pea-flour, Flour, Dalda, Sugar syrup |
| Similar dishes | Jalebi, Imarti, Chhena jalebi, Pench Jilapi, Chikon jilapi, Reshmi jilapi |
Shahi jilapi (Bengali: শাহী জিলাপি, romanized: Shahī Jilapi, lit. 'Royal Jalebi') is a very famous and traditional sweet treat. It comes from Chowk Bazaar in Old Dhaka, Bangladesh. People all over Bangladesh love this sweet.
During the holy month of Ramadan, you can find Shahi jilapi everywhere. It is especially popular in Chawkbazar, Old Dhaka. This area is a big place for iftar, the meal eaten after sunset during Ramadan. Many people from Dhaka, called Dhakaiyas, go there.
This special jilapi is made by twisting dough into a coil shape. Each one can be several inches wide. They can weigh from 1 to 2.5 kilograms! Because they are so big, three or four people often share one. Shahi jilapi is known for its huge size and amazing taste. This makes it a truly unique sweet.
History of Shahi Jilapi
The sweet known as jilapi has been around since the early 1400s. However, Shahi jilapi is a newer version. It was first introduced to the people of Dhaka a few decades ago. Families in Old Dhaka used to buy these large sweets to share.
Over time, Shahi jilapi became very popular. People started eating it during iftar and at special events like weddings. The word Shahi means royal. This sweet got its name because it came from the royal kitchen of the Nawabs of Dhaka. The Nawabs enjoyed it during their family gatherings. That's how this big, tasty, and famous sweet got its royal name: Shahi Jilapi.
What's in Shahi Jilapi?
Shahi jilapi is made with several delicious ingredients. These include:
- Mashkolai dal (a type of lentil)
- Baking powder
- Sugar syrup
- Pea-flour
- Ghee (a type of clarified butter)
- Dalda (vegetable shortening)
- Flour
- Oil
- Rose water
- Cinnamon
- Cardamom
How Shahi Jilapi is Made
Making Shahi jilapi is a special process. First, ingredients like flour, baking powder, powdered milk, and salt are mixed. Then, a paste is made by combining hot milk and flour.
This paste is kneaded by hand, much like dough for a ruti. It is then divided into pieces and shaped into long strands. These strands are twisted into a coil shape. Next, they are deep-fried in oil until golden.
At the same time, a sweet syrup is prepared in another pot. This syrup is made from sugar, water, cinnamon, and cardamom. It's important that the syrup is not too thick.
As soon as the jilapis are fried, they are put into the warm syrup. They are heated in the syrup for about 4 to 5 minutes. This makes the jilapis swell up a little. Finally, the jilapis stay in the syrup for a few hours. This allows them to soak up all the sweet juice, making them almost twice as big. Then, they are ready to eat!
See also
In Spanish: Shahi jilapi para niños
