Kesari Recipe: Indian Dessert

Kesari is one of the sweet dishes that is often served during Indian festivals or celebrations such as Diwali. This is just one of the many easy sweet dishes that are served during that time. There are as many variations of the dishes as there are celebrations. Many of the dishes are tinted from a light orange to a bright orange as the color is often associated with Indian celebrations. The color orange is a combination of red's energy and yellow's happiness, thus bringing its own meaning of enthusiasm to the celebration (Source: Ask.com). Such variations include, substituting the sugar or the water with palm sugar and coconut milk. The nuts and fruits can also be exchanged for flavors that appeal to the cook. Even fresh fruit such as mangos and bananas have found a home in the kesari dessert. Thanks to the people at the Onam Festival and Coimbatore City (www.onamfestival.org and www.coimbatorecity.com); here is a simple kesari recipe that can be made from ingredients that can be found at your local grocery store.

Ingredients:

2 cups semolina flour (this flour is also used for making homemade pasta)

2 cups milk

10 Tbs sugar (one can also use palm sugar though the dish will not be as sweet)

3 cups waters (to give a richer taste, coconut milk can be substituted)

5 Tbs ghee (this is also known as clarified butter)

1/8 tsp (pinch) of cardamom (for presentation and serving)

Dried fruits such as raisins, dates or cranberries (fresh fruit can be substituted. Fruit such as mango or banana)

Nuts (any species you prefer, though in this dish, cashews are most often used)

Directions:

1. Mix milk, sugar and water in large saucepan. Bring to boil over medium low heat. Stir constantly to dissolve sugar and to keep from boiling over. Set aside.

2. Heat clarified butter in large saucepan over medium heat until hot. Add semolina flour. Stir continuously until the semolina is dry and light brown in color.

3. Add milk mixture and stir to combine. Over low heat, cook mixture for approximately three minutes or until the mixture is a stiff paste and no milk mixture can be seen. (Note: when the mixture pulls away from the sides, it is a good indication that the dish is near completion).

4. Serve warm, garnished with nuts and fruit as well as a dusting of cardamom

Or another variation using the same ingredients to serve this as a cold dish would be:

A. Follow steps one through three to prepare the dish.

B. On a cookie sheet that has edges or better yet a jelly roll pan, liberally coat with a non-stick spray or brush on a bit of clarified butter. Spread out cooked mixture and level and smooth surface.

C. Let cool three to four hours or until firm. Overnight is best. Cut into diamonds or squares. Dust each piece with a bit of cardamom and garnish with dried fruit and nuts.

There it is - a simple recipe that anyone from anything race or religion can enjoy. Trying new dishes from other places brings everyone closer together.