At a glance

• Category: Snack
• Meal: snack

Ingredients

• s All-purpose flour — 2 cup
• Cornstarch — 1/2 cup
• Instant Yeast — 1 tbsp
• Sugar or Jaggery — 1 tsp
• s Warm Water — 1.5 cup
• Orange food coloring — 1/4 tsp
• Pinch Salt — 1
• iter Vegetable Oil — 1 l
• s Granulated Sugar — 2.5 cup
• s Water — 1.5 cup
• Lemon — 1 tbsp
• Orange Blossom Water — 2 tbsp
• Raw Honey — 1 tbsp

Method

• 1. In a small bowl, mix the yeast, 1 tsp sugar, and 1/4 cup of warm water. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy.
• 2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, cornstarch, and salt. Add the yeast mixture, the food coloring, and the remaining warm water. Whisk vigorously to remove all lumps.
• 3. The batter should be slightly thicker than pancake batter but pourable (viscous). Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and place in a warm area. Allow to ferment for at least 2 hours (traditionally overnight for a sour tang). The batter will bubble and rise.
• 4. While the batter rests, prepare the syrup. Combine 2.5 cups sugar and 1.5 cups water in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir until sugar dissolves.
• 5. Bring the syrup to a boil, add the lemon juice, and reduce heat to low. Simmer for about 10-15 minutes until it reaches a sticky, honey-like consistency (soft thread stage). Remove from heat, stir in the honey and orange blossom water, and let it cool completely. The syrup must be cool when the hot Zlabia is dipped.
• 6. Once the batter has fermented, stir it gently to deflate the air bubbles. Transfer the batter into a squeeze bottle with a medium nozzle or a piping bag with a small hole cut at the tip.
• 7. Heat the vegetable oil in a wide, flat frying pan to about 350°F (175°C). The oil should be about 1.5 to 2 inches deep.
• 8. Squeeze the batter into the hot oil in a circular motion, starting from the center and spiraling outward, or creating random interlocking circles to form a disc shape. Fry for about 2-3 minutes per side until the dough is crispy and holds its shape.
• 9. Remove the fried Zlabia from the oil, drain briefly for a few seconds, and immediately submerge it into the cool syrup. Press it down gently to ensure it soaks up the liquid.
• 10. Let it soak for 1-2 minutes, then remove and place on a wire rack to drain excess syrup. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Health benefits

• Provides quick energy boost
• Nourishing to tissues
• Supports weight gain in cases of emaciation

Indications

• Daurbalya (weakness)
• Vata-vriddhi (Vata aggravation)

Suitable doshas

• vata

Pathya (supportive)

• Suitable for individuals with high energy expenditure or those recovering from depletion, provided they have strong Agni.

Apathya (avoid)

• Avoid in cases of Mandagni (weak digestion), obesity, diabetes, or active inflammatory conditions (Pitta-Rakta disorders).

Contraindications

• Diabetes
• Obesity
• High Kapha conditions
• Digestive weakness

Frequently asked questions