Rava Kesari / Kesari Bhaat

Here comes another dish for Asha's RCI: K. Now it is Rava kesari or kesari Bhaat. When I made this for my wedding anniversary, my hubby suggested that I could send this to Asha. Before that I did not know that it is a karnataka dish too. After that, I confirmed the same with google and here I am posting this for everyone.

Actually, Kesari is a very easy sweet dish that can be done in a jiffy. Although, it is a simple dish sometimes people can go wrong in it when the water level is not adequeate or if the rava has not been mixed properly. I remember , once in my childhood my newly married aunt made this sweet so bad that my sister and me named it as 'rava kal' (meaning rava stone) and since then I had hated it so much. But after I started cooking I realized that this dessert is not that bad after all. Ok guys, I think I have bored your enough. So, here is the recipe.


Ingredients:
Rava/semolina- 1 cup
sugar- 1 3/4 cup (I like mine really sweet, You can reduce the amount if u want)
ghee- 1/4 cup (add more if you are not dieting)
water- 2 1/2 cups
saffron a pinch
elachi/cardamom powder- 1/4 tsp
cashews- 6(broken)
raisins- 10
ghee- 2 tbsp(for frying cashews and raisins)

Procedure:
Heat water and bring it to a boil. Soak saffron in a tbsp of milk and set aside.In a small pan fry cashews and raisins with ghee and set aside. In another pan, dry roast rava until the color changes a little bit. Now add hot water and keep stirring continously taking care that you don't get any lumps. When the rava is almost cooked add sugar, saffron milk,cardamom powder and ghee. Mix well . Keep stirring until the kesari leaves the sides of the pan. Switch off the gas and add the fried nuts. Serve hot.

Note: You can reduce the amount of water if you want your kesari to be very thick. Also, microwave kesari each time before serving so that you still get the same 'hot from the stove' taste.
Here is a bite for all of you. Enjoy!!!
I know that my anniversary post is pending. I shall try to post it soon.Thank You guys for all your wishes and blessings.