RAVA KESARI

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Rava kesari is a traditional and a commonly made dessert of South India. It is a really easy recipe made with rava/semolina, sugar and ghee. Rava kesari is usually made in bright orange color. Food color is added to give the bright orange color but, it can also be made without any food color.

Rava kesari can also be made in so many different flavours but, the plain kesari is always my personal favourite. It is usually served for breakfast or can also be had with lunch as a dessert. It is generally made during any occasions or any functions. It is probably one of the main dish served in any function.

ABOUT THE RECIPE:

Rava kesari is an easy to make recipe. I’ve added orange gel food color to it but, it can also be made without food color. Also, there are so many different methods to make kesari. This is the recipe that we’ve been making in our family for generations.

INGREDIENTS FOR RAVA KESARI:

• ROASTED RAVA – 1 CUP
• SUGAR – 1 CUP
• GHEE – 100 GMS
• CASHEWS – 1/4 CUP
• RAISINS – 1/4 CUP
• CARDAMOM POWDER – 1/2 TSP
• ORANGE GEL FOOD COLOR – 10 DROPS

HOW TO MAKE ROASTED RAVA:

• Heat a kadai/wokand, add 1 tbsp of ghee(for 1 kg of rava).

• Once the ghee is heated, add the rava to it and mix it.

• Roast it for 5 minutes on medium-low flame.

• Once it changes color or after 5 minutes, turn off the flame and, transfer it to a plate.

ROASTED RAVA IS READY.

STORE IT IN AN AIRTIGHT CONTAINER ONCE IT COOLS DOWN COMPLETELY.

HOW TO MAKE RAVA KESARI:

• Heat a kadai/wok, add 1 tsp of ghee. Add 1/4 cup of cashews to it and roast it until, it turns light golden brown in color.

• Also, add 1/4 cup of raisins and, fry them. It takes just few seconds for the raisins to fry.

• Once they are fried, transfer them to a plate.

• In the same kadai, add 2 1/2 cups of water. Let it come to boil.

*TO 1 CUP OF RAVA/SEMOLINA ADD 2 1/2 CUPS OF WATER.

• Once it starts to boil, add 1/2 tsp of cardamom powder to it.

• Also, add orange food color to it.

• Let it boil completely.

• At this stage, add 1 cup of roasted rava to it. Mix it while adding the rava. Adding rava without mixing might form lumps.

• Let it cook until, rava soaks up all the water.

• Once all the water is absorbed, add 1 cup of sugar to it and, mix them well.

• Add 1 tbsp of ghee to it. Turn the flame to low and, let it cook for about 5 minutes.

• After 5 minutes, add the fried cashews and raisins to it.

• Mix them well.

• Also, add a tablespoon of ghee to it.

• Mix it well. The kesari shouldn’t stick to the pan or the ladle.

• At this stage turn off the flame.

YUMMY AND DELICIOUS RAVA KESARI IS READY.

VARIATIONS:

• Adding food color is optional.
• Gel food color or food color powder can also be used.
• Melon seeds, cucumber seeds can also be added along with cashews and raisins.

PRO TIPS:

• Use only roasted rava. It doesn’t tastes good with unroasted rava.
• Add 2 1/2 cups of water to 1 cup of rava.
• Let it cook on low for at least 5 minutes. This helps the rava to cook completely.
• Add a teaspoon of ghee at the end for an enhanced flavour.

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