Sevai Kheer, a luscious aromatic Indian dessert

Sevai Kheer is a very popular traditional Indian sweet dessert and one of my favorites. It is a quick yet very very delicious dessert, which is regularly made in my house on every occasion, especially on my birthday. I remember on every birthday my mom making all my favorite dishes, but for dessert it was always Sevai Kheer. A big bowl of special kheer (pudding) just for me.

A pudding prepared from vermicelli (thin long strands) tossed in ghee added to sweetened, aromatic cardamom-saffron milk and garnished with slightly roasted dry fruits. Absolutely divine!

Serves: 4
Cooking time: 30 mins

Ingredients

2 tbsp ghee (clarified butter)
1 small bunch golden raisins (kishmish)
1 small bunch pistachios (pista), chopped
6 almonds (badam), thinly sliced
1 cup sevai (vermicelli), roasted
4 cups milk
1 cup sugar
1 tsp cardamom powder (elaichi)
1 pinch saffron (kesar)

Preparation

1.  Heat ghee in a flat pan on medium heat, add vermicelli and roast until golden brown. Then add some dry fruits (golden raisins, chopped pistachios and sliced almonds) and saute for 30 sec. Remove into a bowl and keep aside.
2.  In the same pan, combine milk and sugar. Mix well and boil the milk. Keep stirring occasionally.
3.  When milk comes to a boil, add roasted vermicelli and dry fruits. Stir again and boil further for 4-5 mins or until it becomes thick. Then turn off heat.
4.  Add cardamom powder and saffron. Mix well and let it cool a little.
5.  Garnish with raisins, pistachios and sliced almonds.

Serve hot, warm or cold based on your preference. Enjoy!

spoonful O’ tips

After cooling down, if the kheer turns too thick then add (boiled and cooled down) milk to get the required consistency.