Kesari without lumps

Now that only me and N are here, there has been lot of 'ME' time. I have finally been able to read through blogs and bookmark recipes. Of course, the bookmarked list is overflowing but then why leave a chance of me forgetting that recipe.

Kesari, it is such a simple sweet. But anything that I do with Rava / Sooji always turns out to be a disaster. Maybe I have been jinxed!!! Till now I have tried Kesari exactly twice. Both times it came out perfect. 

Thanks to Jayashree and Viki. I love Viki's version because it ensures that there are no lump. 

Here is how I adapted Viki's original recipe:

Ingredients

Rava / Sooji - 1 cup

Water - 3 cups

Sugar - 1 cup

Ghee - 2 tbsp

Garnish - cashews, raisins, almond flakes (optional)

Preparation

1. Heat a thick bottomed vessel which has a tight lid. (I used non-stick pan.) 
2. Dry roast rava till it starts turning slight red / brown and has a nice aroma to it. 
3. Transfer it to a plate and keep aside. 
4. In case you are garnishing with cashews and raisins: add ghee to the pan. Once it is hot, add cashews and roast tor 15 seconds. Remove and keep aside.  Add raisins and roast them for 5-10 second. Remove and keep aside.
5. Add water to the pan. 
6. Add a tablespoon of ghee to it. (Can be skipped if you are doing Step 4)
7. Allow the water to come to a full boil.
8. Reduce the flame to the lowest possible. 
9. Add rava slowly in a wide spread manner. Do not stir.
10. Close the pan with the lid. (Steps 7,8,9 are very important to ensure that there are no lumps)
11. Check often to see if the water has been absorbed. (Took 2-3 minutes for mine)
12. When there is no water, add sugar and stir well. 
13. When sugar is dissolved, add remaining ghee and stir until the kesari starts leaving the sides. The kesari will be little bit sticky.

Kesari is done and yummy!!!

~ Ramya