Restaurant Style Rava Kesari Recipe

Welcome to our blog! Today, we're going to share with you a delicious and traditional Indian sweet recipe - Rava Kesari. This mouthwatering dessert is made with simple ingredients like semolina, sugar, ghee, and nuts, and it's perfect for satisfying your sweet cravings. Stay tuned for the step-by-step instructions on how to make this delightful and aromatic Rava Kesari at home. Let's get started!

What Is Rava Kesari Recipe?

• Rava Kesari is a traditional South Indian dessert made with the main ingredient, sooji (rava or semolina), and flavored with Indian spices and seasoning. This sweet dish is known for its succulent texture and aromatic flavor, making it a popular choice for festivals and special occasions.
• The combination of roasted sooji, sugar, ghee, and a touch of saffron and cardamom powder creates a delightful blend of sweetness and warmth. The addition of cashew nuts and raisins provides a satisfying crunch and burst of flavor, adding to the overall appeal of this classic Indian dessert.

Why You'll Love Rava Kesari?

• Delicious, soft, and grainy texture: Rava Kesari has a delightful texture that is soft yet grainy, making it a perfect sweet treat for any occasion. The roasted rava adds a nice crunch while the ghee and sugar create a smooth and velvety texture.
• Rich in nutrients: This traditional Indian dessert is made from semolina, which is a good source of carbohydrates, fiber, and protein. It also contains essential nutrients like iron, magnesium, and B vitamins, making it a wholesome and nourishing sweet dish.
• Boost of energy: The high carbohydrate content in rava kesari provides a quick source of energy, making it an ideal sweet dish to satisfy your cravings and keep you energized throughout the day.
• Good for digestion: The ingredients used in rava kesari, such as ghee and cardamom, are known for their digestive properties. Ghee helps in lubricating the digestive tract, while cardamom aids in digestion and prevents gas and bloating.
• Saffron for added health benefits: Saffron not only enhances the flavor and aroma of the dish but also offers various health benefits such as improving mood, promoting better sleep, and providing antioxidant properties.
• Nuts and raisins for added nutrition: The addition of nuts and raisins not only adds a delightful crunch and sweetness to the dish but also provides essential nutrients like healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals.

Ingredients for Rava Kesari Recipe

• Sooji/Rava/Semolina: This ingredient forms the base of the dish, providing a grainy texture and nutty flavor to the kesari.
• Sugar: Sweetens the kesari and brings a balanced sweetness to the dish.
• Ghee: Adds richness and aroma, enhancing the overall flavor of the kesari.
• Sunflower oil: Helps in frying the cashews and raisins, and contributes to the overall texture of the dish.
• Saffron: Imparts a lovely golden color and a subtle floral flavor to the kesari.
• Cardamom powder: Adds a warm, aromatic flavor to the kesari, enhancing its overall taste profile.

How To Make Rava Kesari Recipe?

Rava Kesari is a delicious and popular Indian sweet made with semolina, sugar, and ghee. It's a quick and easy dessert to make, perfect for serving guests or satisfying your sweet tooth. Here's a brief outline of the steps to create this delightful treat, along with the importance of key steps for a flavorful experience.

• Start by heating a non-stick pan and frying cashew nuts and raisins in ghee until they are nicely browned and puffed. This step adds a crunchy texture and nutty flavor to the dish.
• Next, roast the rava in the same pan until it gives off a nice aroma. This helps to enhance the flavor of the semolina and gives the dish a nutty, toasty taste.
• Then, add water to the pan and bring it to a rolling boil. Adding saffron, ghee, and oil at this stage infuses the rava with rich, aromatic flavors.
• After reaching the rolling boil stage, add the roasted rava and mix it well to ensure there are no lumps. Stirring continuously is essential to achieving a smooth and creamy texture.
• It's important to cover the pan with a lid and cook the mixture over low heat. This allows the rava to absorb the water and cook evenly.
• Gradually adding sugar at the right time is crucial, as it can cause the mixture to become watery. Stirring continuously during this step prevents the mixture from bubbling over and ensures a smooth consistency.
• Finally, adding the remaining ghee, cardamom powder, nuts, and raisins and mixing well is the finishing touch that adds a burst of flavor to the dish.

By following these steps and paying attention to key details, you can create a perfect batch of Rava Kesari that is bursting with flavor and aroma. It's a simple yet satisfying dessert that is sure to impress your family and friends.

Serving Suggestions

• Pair with Tea or Coffee: Rava kesari makes for a delightful accompaniment with a hot cup of tea or coffee. The subtle sweetness of the kesari balances perfectly with the bitterness of the tea or coffee.
• Serve with Coconut Chutney: For a complete South Indian meal, serve rava kesari with a side of coconut chutney. The combination of the sweet kesari and the savory chutney creates a delicious contrast of flavors.
• Enjoy with Curd: Some people enjoy rava kesari with a side of chilled, creamy curd. The tangy and refreshing curd provides a nice contrast to the richness of the kesari.
• Pair with Savory Snacks: Rava kesari makes a great pairing with savory snacks like samosas, pakoras, or vada. The combination of sweet and savory is always a winner.
• Garnish with Nuts: For an extra touch, garnish the rava kesari with some extra nuts like almonds or pistachios. It not only adds a crunch but also enhances the visual appeal.
• Serve as Dessert: If not as a side dish, rava kesari can be served as a dessert after a meal. It's a sweet and satisfying way to end a meal.

Tips for Making Rava Kesari

• Preparation Duration: The preparation time for making rava kesari is relatively short, taking only about 5-10 minutes to roast the rava and about 15-20 minutes for cooking the entire dish.
• Cooking Techniques: When roasting the rava, make sure to do it over low heat to avoid burning. Also, when adding the sugar, stir carefully to prevent the mixture from bubbling over.
• Importance of Garnishing: Garnishing with fried cashew nuts and raisins not only adds a delightful crunch but also enhances the overall presentation of the dish.
• Consistency is Key: Stir the rava mixture continuously to avoid any lumps and achieve a smooth, creamy consistency.
• Cover and Cook: Covering the pan with a lid while cooking the rava helps to ensure that it is thoroughly cooked and absorbs the flavors.
• Timing is Crucial: As soon as the mixture absorbs all the ghee, promptly remove it from the heat to prevent it from becoming too dry.

By following these tips, you can easily master the art of making delicious rava kesari that is both flavorful and visually appealing.

Variations for Rava Kesari Recipe

• Fruit Flavored Kesari: Add chopped fruits like banana, pineapple, or mango to the kesari for a fruity twist. This adds natural sweetness and a burst of flavors to the traditional recipe.
• Nutty Delight: Experiment with different nuts such as almonds, pistachios, or walnuts to add a crunchy texture and a nutty flavor to the kesari. You can also try adding a mix of nuts for a delightful combination.
• Coconut Infusion: For a tropical flavor, add grated coconut to the kesari mixture. The coconut adds a rich and creamy texture, elevating the taste of the kesari to a whole new level.
• Flavored Sugars: Instead of using regular sugar, try using jaggery or palm sugar for a unique and earthy sweetness. These alternative sugars will add depth and complexity to the flavor of the kesari.
• Aromatic Spices: Experiment with different spices such as cinnamon or nutmeg to give the kesari a warm and aromatic twist. These spices will add a layer of complexity and fragrance to the dish.
• Chocolate Indulgence: For a decadent treat, add cocoa powder or chocolate chips to the kesari for a rich and indulgent flavor. This variation is perfect for all the chocolate lovers out there.

How to Store Rava Kesari

• Keep in an airtight container: Store the rava kesari in an airtight container to maintain its freshness and prevent it from getting stale.
• Refrigerate for longer shelf life: If you want to store the rava kesari for a longer period, consider refrigerating it. This will help to extend its shelf life.
• Store in a cool, dry place: If you prefer to keep the rava kesari at room temperature, make sure to store it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
• Properly store the nuts and raisins: If the recipe includes nuts and raisins, store them separately in airtight containers to maintain their crunchiness and flavor.
• Keep away from moisture: Moisture can cause the rava kesari to become soggy, so be sure to store it in a dry environment.
• Use within a few days for best quality: To enjoy the rava kesari at its best, try to consume it within a few days of preparing it. This will ensure that it maintains its taste and texture.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I adjust the sweetness of the rava kesari?

• If you prefer a less sweet rava kesari, you can reduce the amount of sugar used in the recipe. Start with half the amount of sugar and gradually increase to suit your taste.

Can I use different nuts in the rava kesari?

• Yes, you can customize the nuts used in the rava kesari according to your preference. You can use almonds, pistachios, or any other nuts of your choice.

Can I make a vegan version of the rava kesari?

• To make a vegan version of rava kesari, you can replace ghee with vegan-friendly butter and use plant-based milk in place of regular milk. This will help to achieve the desired flavor and texture without the use of any animal products.

How do I prevent lumps while mixing the rava?

• To avoid lumps while mixing the rava, make sure to stir continuously and vigorously to break up any lumps. You can also sift the rava before adding it to the hot water to ensure a smoother texture.

Can I make the rava kesari in advance?

• Yes, you can prepare the rava kesari in advance and store it in an airtight container. When ready to serve, simply reheat it in the microwave or on the stovetop with a little bit of water to freshen it up.

What can I serve with the rava kesari?

• Rava kesari is often served as a sweet dessert or snack. You can pair it with a cup of chai or enjoy it on its own as a delightful treat.

Recipe Card

Restaurant Style Kesari Recipe 2021-04-17 04:03:21

Rava Kesari Recipe

Serves 2
Prep Time: 00:05
Cook Time: 00:20
Total Time: 00:25

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup sooji/rava/semolina
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1&3/4 cups water
• 25g ghee
• 25 ml sunflower oil
• a pinch salt
• a dash saffron
• 1/4 tsp cardamom powder
• 1 tbsp ghee
• 8 cashew nuts
• 10 raisins

Instructions

• Heat a non-stick pan over low heat, add 1tbsp of ghee and fry cashew nuts until browned, then add raisins, fry until puffed and remove from the heat and keep it aside for further use.
• In the same pan, add rava and roast until the nice aroma comes. It takes 3 to4 minutes. Transfer to a plate and keep it aside.
• In the same hot pan, add water. When the water starts to roll boil, add saffron, 1 tbsp ghee and 25 ml oil.
• After rolling boil stage, add the roasted rava and mix it well without leaving any lumps. Stir continuously to break up the lumps.
• Then add a pinch of salt. It is optional.
• Now the rava will absorb the water in the pan but it still not cooked well. So cover the pan with lid and cook for 2 mins over low heat.
• Then gradually add sugar. As soon as you add sugar, the mixture becomes watery. Keep stirring continuously. It will start to bubble, so please stir carefully.
• Then add the remaining ghee, cardamom powder, nuts and raisins and mix well.
• When the mixture absorbs all the ghee, immediately remove from the heat and pour the mixture into the ghee greased bowl and cut it once it cools.

By Santhi Therese
The Indian Claypot