Sheera

A big part of one’s childhood in Pune includes going to every useless function your mother drags you to. ‘Satyanarayana chi Puja’ is on of those events. Having attended my share of Satyanarayans, I still couldn’t tell you what it is for. What I do know is that the ‘Prasad’ is the most awesome Sheera you’ll ever have. Actually, it is worth hauling your behind to a Satyanarayan just for the Sheera. I happend to talk to my mother about why that particular version of Sheera tastes good as opposed to the low-budget version we sometime have with out afternoon tea. Apparently all ingredients come in a 1:1 ratio. i.e. 1 cup sugar : I cup ghee : I cup of milk : I cup dried fruit. I think it should also come with a defibrillator.

So in the interest of coronary health, here’s a recipe for everyday Sheera.

You’ll need:
I cup Rawa Sooji or Semolina)
½ Sugar (3/4 cup if you like it sweeter)
1 tbsp Ghee
½ cup Dried Fruit (almonds, cashews, raisins)
½ cup
 Milk
½ cup
Water
½ tsp Cardamom powder or seeds crushed
Few Pistils of Saffron

Method:
Heat the ghee in a wok and add dry fruit and cardamom till almonds become very slightly brown.
Add Rawa and keep stirring so that it gets toasted.
Add milk, sugar and saffron and keep stirring.
If Rawa appears too dry, add little milk and water in 1:1 ratio till the Rava is nice and moist.
Turn the flame to small heat and let it steam for a minute or two.
Press one serving into a mould and remove it directly on to the serving dish.
Serve hot.