Sooji Halwa , Rava Kesari

Rava Kesari is a typical Indian sweet that's being carried over from generations in south India. This is served as prasadam in temples and festivals. Easy to prepare with very few ingredients available in most Indian kitchens.

Ingredients

1. Sooji/Semolina/Upma rava (coarse) – 1 cup
2. Sugar – 1 1/4 cup (Add little more if you like more sweet)
3. Ghee – 1/2 cup
4. Chopped almonds, cashews – 1 tablespoon each
5. Raisins – 1 tablespoon
6. Cardamoms – 4, Powdered
7. Saffron/Orange food color – A Pinch

Cooking Procedure

1. In a wide pan, heat about 2 tablespoons of ghee. Simmer heat, roast cashews, almonds, raisins. Transfer to a plate. In the same pan, add another 1 tablespoon of oil, let it heat, add sooji, roast by turning it over and over under medium heat till the aroma comes out. Transfer roasted sooji to a bowl and keep aside.

2. In the same pan add sugar to 2 1/2 cups of water, stir and bring it to boil. Add cardamom powder, saffron/color to the water and stir. Simmer heat, slowly add sooji and keep stirring thoroughly while the sooji is added to make sure there are no lumps formed. Once you add all the sooji, add remaining ghee, stir continuously until the ghee is fully incorporated (takes about 10-15 minutes). Turn off heat.

3. Add roasted nuts, raisins to the Halwa. This can be served cold or hot.