Kesari Bhath

Description

 * Ethnicity - South Indian
 * Type of meal - Party, Lunch, Dinner

Ingredients

 * 1 cup: semolina (rava)
 * 1 cup: Sugar
 * 5 no: almonds, slivered
 * 5 no: Pistas, slivered
 * 10-12 no: Raisins
 * 1/4 tsp: cardamom powder
 * 2 pinches: saffron, soaked in 1 tbsp warm milk
 * Few drops yellow colour (optional)
 * 3 tbsp: ghee
 * 2 1/2 cups: water

Directions

 * 1) Heat ghee in a large heavy pan, add rava.
 * 2) Stir and roast on low for 7-8 minutes or till aroma exudes.
 * 3) Side by side, put water to boil, add Sugar, bring to a boil.
 * 4) Add boiling water to the rava, little at a time stirring continuously. Take care to protect hands from the spluttering.
 * 5) When well mixed, check rava grain between fingers and taste for sweetness.
 * 6) Adjust sweetness, and add more boiling water if grain is hard.
 * 7) Add the remaining ingredients, cover and simmer till ghee separates. Save a small amount of almonds and pistas for garnishing.
 * 8) Add colour if desired and mix well.
 * 9) Grease a katori or steel cup. Press hot bhath inside it, and unmould onto a plate.
 * 10) Garnish with a few slivers of almonds and pistas, serve hot.