Pineapple Kesari | Pineapple scented sooji ka halwa

Dessert is not a regular affair in my house, as me and my hubby are not fan of sweets.These days my son is getting crazy of sweets.To satisfy his sweet tooth , sometimes I prepare something special for him.This time  it was pineapple kesari for him.

This is one such dessert which you can prepare within 15 minutes.Thats the reason it has won a special place  accross India. In north India, people call it sooji ka halwa and in South , kesari.

 

Interesting fact about kesari is that , during a formal groom - girl  typical meeting  occassion (weeding proposal), this kesari has played a vital role.Since then, kesari has reigned its supremacy over other sweets.

Coming back to the recipe, I have used pineapple.You can also try mixed fruit kesari too.Also I haven't used any artificial flavor or essence .However, if you want to add, you can.

Having said so much about kesari, let's get into the recipe now.

Ingredients

Rava | Sooji | Cream of wheat ......... 1 cup
Water ............................................. 2 1/2 cup
Sugar ............................................ 1  1/2 cup
Pineapple........................................ 1 cup, chopped
Turmeric powder ...........................  1/8 tsp
Ghee ............................................. 3  tbsp
Green cardamom............................. 4  crushed
Cashews ....................................... 15 pieces ( roughly a handfull)
Raisins .......................................... A hand full

Method

1. Heat a saucepan with required water and add chopped pineapple and turmeric to it.
2. Bring it to a rolling boil.
3. Heat a heavy bottom pan with ghee ,over a medium heat.
4. Once ghee is just hot,add cashews and fry until golden.
5. Add rava and fry for a minute until you get a nice aroma.(Do not let the rava to change in color)
6. Now carefully add the boiling water with pineapple to the rava.
7. Mix well and let the rava  cook thoroughly.
8. Add sugar now and mix well.You might notice some lumps , but don't worry.
9. Keep the heat in medium and mix thoroughly.Slowly the lumps will vanish.
10. Now add the crushed cardamoms.
11. After 3 to 5 minutes, the mixture will become a single mass and it will not stick to the bottom of the pan.
12. Turn off the heat .

Enjoy warm kesari.