Sooji ka Halwa /Rava Kesari/sheera
For the Indian festivals and
God’s worship , mostly everyone prepares “Naivedya” or offertory sweets for one’s God. Like us, Our Ganeshji too gets bored of eating the same prasad everyday, so why not prepare some new and easy sweet for HIM.
With this sweet I remember another custom in our Hindu families, that a newly-wed bride is supposed to step in the kitchen only after making this sweet for her new family. Yes I prepared it too and everyone ate with heart’s content and blessed me. π
But in today’s recipe there is a secret ingredient which is inspired from Indian TV Soaps π , wherein the daughter-in-law was challenged to make “Halwa” without sugar. Tricky ?? not at all. Yes you will guess it before reading the ingredients only π .
This recipe is beneficial for diabetic people and for all those who say no to calories, as this is not only healthy but equally tasty too!! π
INGREDIENTS:
1. Fine Sooji (Rava/ Semolina)- 1/4 cup
2. Raw sugar (shakkar) – 3/8 cup (6 tbsp)
3. Clarified butter (ghee) / Unsalted butter – 3 tbsp
4. Milk – 1/2Β cup
5. Water – 1/2Β cup
6. Sliced almonds (badam) – 1 tbsp (for garnishing)
7. Raisins (kishmish)- 1/ 2 tbsp (for garnishing)
8. Saffron strands (kesar) – 5 (for garnishing)
METHOD:
| Preparation time : 2 mins | Cooking time : 15 mins | Serves 1 person at a time |
1. In this recipe I have used half milk and half water to get the perfect Tan color of the Halwa. You may use all of the milk or all of the water according to your taste and preference. First of all add sooji in a wok(kadhai) and ghee in it. Roast it for 6-9 mins on medium heat.
2. Roast it till you smell the nice aroma and see the change in color of sooji. Stir continuously to avoid burning of sooji at the bottom of the wok.
Just after the ghee melts it is like this>>
After 5 mins this is the color>>
After 10 mins this is the state>>
3. When you see the ghee oozing out of it ,then lower the heat and add water and milk to it. Stir continuously with other hand to avoid forming lumps in the mixture. Don’t worry about the lumps if formed, they will break away and melt eventually.
4. Now add the shakkar and stir everything well. You will notice after a couple of mins the mixture has started thickening.
5. When you see it has thickened to the required consistency , add the nuts of your choice and garnish it. You may add shredded coconut and cardamom powder too if you like them.
6. In the end top it with kesar and serve hot.
Bappa will be pleased with this freshly made offertory . π
For other types, read Pineapple Barfi, Mango Halwa in desserts !
Enjoy this festival time!! Ganapati Bappa Morriya !
Please feel free to ask or suggest! We warmly welcome your comments below!
π