Indian Donuts - Aarti Sequeira

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup instant nonfat dry milk
• 3 tablespoons flour
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest (from about 1 lemon, plus extra for garnish)
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon distilled white vinegar
• 1 tablespoon melted (and cooled) ghee or butter
• 2 to 3 tablespoons whole milk (or up to 1/3 cup; see note)
• Vegetable shortening or sunflower oil for deep frying
• 1 tablespoon minced pistachios
• Kosher salt
• 3/4 cup granulated white sugar (I like raw cane sugar)
• 2 cups water
• 4 chamomile tea bags (snipped of labels)
• 4 green cardamom pods, crushed open but left whole
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• Pinch of saffron threads (optional)