Apple RavaKesari/Apple SoojiHalwa

Rava kesari is very common for festivals and poojas. It is very common but one which never gets old. In fact it brings all those sweet childhood memories back. As it can be made in a jiffy (especially if you have roasted sooji)

this is what my mother used to make for us when we kids bothered her for something sweet. It is also one dish which comes to mind when a sweet has to be made for unexpected guests as sooji is something we always have on hand and making this does not take much time.

Actually roasting sooji and storing it in air-tight container is very handy. First of all, this process makes the sooji stay fresh and longer and then it is very convenient for upma and rava kesari (sooji halwa). It is one of the favourites in our home, but lately adding fruits like apple, banana, and pineapple is adding a nice twist to the traditional dish. Usually it is made with lots of nuts; I have to avoid them because of the kids’ allergies. Definitely adding nuts adds good dimension.

This is the way I make it…

In a pan put 3 tsp of ghee and heat. Once it is hot enough add raisins, when raisins are fried add sunflower seeds and fry for few seconds (of course nuts of your choice, for most of you).

    

Keep them aside. In the same pan add sooji and slowly roast until the raw smell is gone and very light brown colour is achieved.

       Take two apples, wash and peel them. Cut them into pieces and puree the cut pieces.

      

Take little warm water in a bowl and add saffron.

Put a pot on the stove and add two cups of water.

Add ghee and saffron to it.

Once water comes to good boil, slowly add rava  all the while mixing. (As the water is very hot, this does not take much time. Also keep the lid of the pot handy)

Once all the rava is poured, stir and put the lid on. In one minute sooji is cooked.

        

Add pureed apple, sugar of your choice (mine is usually brown sugar) and mix. Add crushed or powdered elachi. Let it cook for another few minutes.

     

Finally, add fried raisins (nuts of your choice) and switch off the stove.

Ingredients:

Sooji                                – 1 cup

Sugar                              – 1 cup

Apples                            – 2

Ghee                               – 2 tbsp

Saffron                           – few strands

Cardamom(elachi)           – few

Method:

• In a pan add 2 tsp of ghee and fry raisins in it, add sunflower seeds and fry few more seconds. (If adding nuts you can add nuts along with raisins.) Keep this aside.
• In the same pan add sooji and roast on slow flame until raw smell is gone and nice aromatic smell comes.
• Wash, peel and cut apples into pieces. Grind the pieces and keep the puree aside.
• In a pot add 2 cups of water, add ghee and saffron.
• Once this comes to boil, add roasted rava slowly all the while mixing. Place the lid on. In a minute or so rava gets cooked.
• Add apple puree and sugar. Add crushed or powdered elachi. Let it cook for few more minutes.
• Add raisins (and any nuts if you are adding). Switch off the stove.
• Enjoy!

Serving Suggestion:

Enjoy as dessert either by itself or with one scoop of ice cream. It is a wonderful combination with puri.