Sheera ~ Sooji Halwa

Sheera is a sweet prepared with broken whole wheat (godhuma rava). This is a must preparation during Satyanarayana vratham and is prepared as one of the prasadams (offering to god). It is traditionally prepared with cream of whole wheat (wheat rava) but i made it with sooji as I did not have wheat rava on hand. This was the sweet I made for my Telangana meal. I wanted to redo the sheera for better pictures but that did not happen. I will try to replace the picture very soon.

Cooking Time: 15 minutes
Serves: 2 – 3

Ingredients:

2 – 3 tbsp. Ghee or Unsalted Butter (I used 3 tbsp of butter)
6 – 8 Whole Cashews, broken into 4 – 6 pieces
8 – 10 Raisins
½ cup Coarse Sooji
1 cup Water
¼ cup Milk (can use water)
⅓ – ½ cup Sugar (adjust to taste)
⅛ – ¼ tsp. Cardamom Seeds, crushed

Preparation:

Heat 2 tbsp of butter in a 1 – 1 ½ quart (liter) saucepan.
Fry cashews and raisins until cashews turn light brown and raisins puff up. Remove from butter and keep aside. Alternatively, roast cashews and raisins separately.
Add sooji to the same pan and fry sooji until it is lightly roasted and begins to change color.
Reduce the flame and add water+milk to sooji stirring it constantly. It is vital to stir constantly to avoid lumps.
Increase the heat, stir, cover and cook on medium high heat for few minutes until sooji is almost cooked and liquid evaporates.
Once the sooji is cooked or almost cooked, add sugar, remaining butter and stir constantly.
Add cardamom powder. Add cashews and raisins keeping aside some for garnish and continue stirring.
Once the melted sugar evaporates and sheera starts coming off the sides of the pan, sheera is done.
Turn of the stove, serve hot or warm. Garnish with cashews and raisins.

This day on 2014:
Korean Bibimbap,
Spicy Korean Cucumber Salad,
Korean Stryle Season Beas Sprouts Salad &
Seasoned Korean Spinach Salad