Kesari Bhath

Kesari Bhath is a traditional Karnataka sweet dish prepared using roasted semolina, sugar, ghee and water. Saffron. cardamom powder and nutmeg are used to enhance the flavor. A hot bowl of this sweet dish is so satisfying and delicious too.

Different variations to this sweet are prepared across India and known by various names like Sooji Halwa, Ksheera, etc.

Ingredients:

Semolina – 1 cup
Sugar – 1 3/4 cups
Ghee – 1 cups
Cardamom – 1/2 tsp, powdered
Nutmeg – 1/2 tsp, powdered (optional)
Saffron – 1/2 gm, soaked in 1 tbsp milk
Cashewnuts – 10,
Raisins – 10
Water – 2 cups

Method:

1. Heat 1 tbsp ghee in a pan and fry semolina on low flame till a nice aroma comes out.
2. Boil water.
3. Add sugar to this boiling water.
4. When sugar melts, add it to the fried semolina and stir.
5. Keep stirring continuously.
6. Add saffron milk and ghee and continue stirring.
7. Add cardamom, nutmeg, cashewnuts and raisins.
8. Stir continuously till it forms a lump.
9. When you touch it with you insert a spoon into it, it should not stick to the spoon.
10. Serve hot.

P.S: You can add pineapple, apple (chopped or pureed) along with sugar. But change the quantity of sugar depending on the sweetness/sourness of the fruit that you add.