Sheera Recipe

Sheera is a sweet dish that is also known as halwa. It is very popular among the Indian people.It would not be wrong to say that it is a typical Indian dish that is prepared with semolina. In India, semolina is identified either by the name of rava or sooji. Raisins, nuts and many aromatic spices are added for better flavoring and sugar is added to make it sweet. Sheera can be eaten any time like in breakfast, with afternoon tea or as a pudding. It is so simple to prepare that at any time and any one can do it. It is liked by everyone in India and even in those countries where it is tried like Pakistan.

If semolina is not available, Good old cream of wheat can be an alternate of it. In India, sooji or rava are easily available. You may get it from any grocery store. It is available in different varieties. In all varieties of sheera coarse, fine and superfine works well however taste and texture varies.

Nutrition Facts
The 108.4g of sheera carries 406 calories with 221 fat calories. The nutritious values of this dish in grams or milligrams are: protein 4.2g, total fat 24.6g, Trans Fat 0.0g, Saturated Fat 15.1g, Cholesterol 63mg, Total Carbohydrates 43.7g, Sodium 16mg, Sugars 27.6g and Dietary Fiber 0.9g.

The percentage values of nutrients, carried by sheera are: Iron 6%, Dietary Fiber 4%, Total Fat38%, Saturated Fat 76%, Sodium 1%, Calcium 5%, Vitamin C 0%, Total Carbohydrates 15%, Vitamin A 15% and Cholesterol 21%.

Ingredients

• Semolina or sooji or rava or cream of wheat (one cup)
  
• Raisins (quarter cup)
  
• Saffron (a pinch only)
  
• Lightly crushed cardamom pods (three to four)
  
• Freshly grated nutmeg (a nip)
  
• Milk (one cup)
  
• Toasted cashew pieces (quarter cup)
  
• Sugar (three parts of cup)
  
• Ghee or unsalted butter (three table spoons)
  
• Toasted slivered almonds (quarter cup)
  

Method

1. Take a large pan with slight depth.
   
2. Pour ghee or butter in the pan and let it heat slightly.
   
3. Add sooji or semolina into the melted ghee.
   
4. Stir it continuously to avoid burning.
   
5. Keep stirring till you get its light brown color and feel a characteristic aroma.
   
6. Add the raisins in it.
   
7. This will only take about 5-7 minutes.
   
8. Put a separate saucepan on the stove on medium flame and put the milk in it to a low boil.
   
9. Add the saffron in the above boiled milk and heat more for about 3-4 minutes.
   
10. Start pouring the milk into the butter mixture.
    
11. While adding milk, keep stirring to avoid the lumps formation.
    
12. Slow down the flame and stir the mixture continuously.
    
13. Add the cardamom pods, nuts, freshly grated nutmeg and also sugar.
    
14. Cover the pan with its lid and keep it on stove for five minutes more.
    
15. Now the sheera is ready to serve.
    
16. Immediately serve it and enjoy your dish.
    
17. You may garnish it with dry fruits.