sooji halwa recipe, how to make sooji halwa, rava sheera recipe |Cooking With Amanda

sooji halwa recipe with step by step photos – sooji halwa is a quick and easy halwa which is often made in most indian homes.

the same dish is known as rava sheera in western india and rava kesari in south india. the method of preparation is more or less similar, with the the other ingredients being changed here and there. though rava or semolina remains the key ingredient. in some variations milk is added instead of water. for flavoring usually cardamom powder is added. saffron threads or kesar can also be added like this saffron suji halwa recipe.

the rava kesari that is popular in south india, usually has orange synthetic color added. but you can make the same, with natural coloring agents like saffron threads or powder.

sooji halwa is often made for an auspicious occasion or a pooja. it could also be a festive occasion like diwali, ganesh chaturthi or a religious ceremony conducted in your home or you just want to have something sweet. since this is a easy and quick halwa recipe, so you don't need any excuse or occasion to make it.

if you are making sooji halwa for religious occasions then add a pinch of edible camphor in it. during 8th or 9th day of navratri festival, this sooji halwa is made along with dry kala chana and pooris for kanjak pooja.

i often make sooji halwa as a bhog/naivedyam to be offered to the deities. this recipe has a good amount of ghee. reduce the ghee, if you prefer. i have also added edible camphor in this one. skip it if you don't have.

sooji halwa is often made in bulk on festive or religious occasions. if you want to make a large quantity, then there is a certain proportion you have to follow. i always follow this proportion for making small or large quantities. the ratio of sooji/semolina to sugar to water to ghee is 1:1:2:0.5

i usually add a bit less amount of sugar. for eg if its 1 cup of sooji, then i add 3/4th cup of sugar. so the one i make is just sweet. 1 cup sugar will give a more sweet taste. the water can also be increased depending on the quality of the rava and if you want a pudding like consistency.

you can have sooji halwa plain or have with pooris. it can also be served as a dessert.

lets start step by step rava sheera or sooji halwa recipe:

1. heat ghee in a kadai or a thick bottomed pan.

2. add the sooji/rava/semolina. i have used fine variety of sooji.

3. add the cashews/kaju.

4. start roasting the sooji and cashews. keep on stirring the sooji so that it does not stick to the pan and is roasted evenly. in the pic below, you can see the sooji changing color.

5. roast sooji till you can see the ghee getting separated and when you see the cashews getting browned. the color of the rava should not become brown. this takes approx 7-8 minutes on a low flame. this step is important because if sooji is not roasted well then you will not get perfect texture in the halwa. there will be slight raw taste in the sooji halwa.

roasting the sooji

6. add raisins, cardamom powder and chironji. you can also add sliced almonds or pistachios.

7. when you keep the sooji for roasting in the ghee, at the same time heat water and sugar in another pan. stir so that the sugar dissolves.

8. bring the water+ sugar solution to a boil.

9. once you stir the raisins, cardamom powder and chironji, then pour the boiling sugar solution in the ghee-sooji mixture slowly, with continuous stirring. pour carefully, as the mixture sizzles and splutters.

10. the sooji will begin to absorb the water and swell.

11. the mixture will start thickening. keep on stirring often.

12. the sooji mixture has thickened but still soft and moist and the consistency like that of a pudding.

13. once all the water is absorbed, you will notice the change in the texture. the ghee also will be visible at the sides. the final texture below. if you want to make slices, then immediately pour the sooji halwa mixture in a greased pan or tray. spread evenly and when warm or cooled, cut into diamond shaped or square slices.

14. serve sooji ka halwa hot or warm or when cooled down.

sooji halwa recipe

if you are looking for more halwa recipes then do check beetroot halwa, papaya halwa, moong dal halwa, gajar halwa and atte ka halwa recipe.

rava sheera or sooji ka halwa recipe below:

sooji halwa recipe | rava sheera recipe

sooji halwa recipe - classic indian semolina pudding made with ghee and dry fruits.

Author: dassana

Recipe type: desserts

Cuisine: indian

Serves: 3-4

Ingredients (american measuring cup used, 1 cup = 250 ml)

1 cup sooji/rava/semolina ( i have used a fine variety of sooji)
¾ cup to 1 cup sugar, or as required
½ cup ghee
4 to 5 cardamoms, powdered in a mortar-pestle, husks discarded
10 to 12 cashews/kaju, halved or whole
2 tbsp raisins/kishmish
1 tsp chironji (optional)
2 cups water
a pinch of edible camphor ((optional)

Instructions

crush the cardamoms to a fine powder in a mortar-pestle and keep aside.
keep a kadai or pan on a low flame.
add the ghee and when the ghee is heating up, do the following.
take the sugar and water in another pan.
keep this pan on a medium to high flame and let the sugar solution come to a boil.
once the ghee becomes hot, add the semolina & cashews and stir.
keep on stirring the sooji/semolina so that it does not stick to the pan and is roasted evenly.
in the meanwhile keep your attention also on the sugar solution.
if the mixture starts to boil, then lower the flame and let it simmer.
keep on sauteing & stirring the semolina for 7-8 mins till the grains change their color and when the cashews also change to a light golden.
then add the cardamom powder, raisins and edible camphor.
stir and then add the bubbling hot sugar solution slowly.
be careful as the mixture has the tendency to splutter.
be quick enough to stir. the sooji will begin to absorb the water and swell.
keep on stirring often till the whole mixture starts thickening and starts to leave the edge of the kadai or pan.
serve sooji halwa hot or warm or when cooled.