Rava Kesari Bhath – South Indian Sooji Halwa Recipe

Rava Kesari Bhath/Sooji Halwa Recipe is a pudding made from semolina, flavored with saffron and other spices topped with nuts. In most parts of Southern India, Kesari is served as part of an offering to God during festivities. Course : Dessert Ingridients : 1 cup Sooji (Semolina/ Rava) 1/2 cup Ghee 3/4 cup Sugar 1 cup Milk 2 cups Water 1 teaspoon Cardamom Powder (Elaichi) 6 Saffron strands , strands 1 tablespoon Ghee 10 Cashew nuts , halved 2 tablespoons Sultana Raisins Instructions To begin making the Rava Kesari Bhath (Sooji Halwa) Recipe, we will first begin by boiling the water, milk, sugar, saffron and cardamom in a sauce pan and stirring until the sugar melts. Keep the liquid mixture aside on simmer in another stove.In wide heavy bottomed pan heat ghee on medium heat; add the semolina (rava/sooji) and roast until the semolina gives out a roasted aroma and also turns light golden color. Take care not to let it over brown.Gradually begin to stir in the hot liquid mixture you prepared earlier. Take care to keep the heat in medium as the mixture will splutter around as you pour the hot liquid to the semolina.Keep stirring the mixture and the semolina will continue to thicken. Once it has thickened it will begin to leave the sides of the pan. Cover the pan and simmer the Rava Kesari Bhath for a couple of minutes stirring occasionally.You will notice the semolina is cooked and when you stir the whole Rava Kesari Bhath comes away from the sides of the pan. At this stage, turn off the heat, cover the pan with a lid and let the Rava Kesari Bhath to rest for a few minutes.In another small pan; heat the ghee on medium heat; add the cashew nuts and raisins and roast them until the cashew nuts turn golden brown.Turn off heat and stir this to the Rava Kesari BhathServe the Rava Kesari Bhath along with Vegetable Rava Upma for breakfast or even savor this as a sweet after a delicious meal.