Rava Kesari / Kesari Bath - Rosy aunty

Recipe by Rosy Pinto










Ingredients:
3 tbsp cashew nuts (split open)
3 tbsp raisins
6 cloves
1/2 tsp cardamom powder
kesari powder/saffron food color
1 cup fine rava/sooji
1/2 cup ghee
1 cup sugar
2 1/2 - 3 cups water 

Steps:
  1. Heat a pan. Add 2 tbsp of ghee on low flame.
  2. Add cashew nut halves, sauté until light golden.
  3. Add raisins and fry until they turn plump. Transfer to a plate.
  4. Add rava and cloves to the same pan and roast on low to medium heat for 4 to 5 minutes until slightly crunchy and aroma wafts out.

  5. While the rava is getting roasted bring water to a boil. 
  6. Add kesari powder and bring it to rolling boil.
  7. Add boiling water to the rava slowly in a stream stirring continuously with the other hand.
  8. Make sure the flame is on medium and there should be no lumps. Cook stirring continuously until the water is absorbed.
  9. Lower the flame and cook covered for 2 minutes
  10. Add sugar, mix well and continue to cook until all the moisture evaporates
  11. Add remaining ghee, mix well and cook stirring until it leaves the sides of the pan.
  12. Add cardamom powder, fried nuts and raisins and mix well. Switch off the flame.
  13. ENJOY!
Notes:
Instead of kesari powder, you can use a generous pinch of saffron strands soaked in 4 tbsp of hot milk or water.