Kesari Bath Recipe: How To Make Traditional South Indian Semolina Pudding At Home In 15 Mins

Kesari Bath, also known as Kesari Bhath or Kesari Halwa, is a traditional South Indian sweet dish that is bursting with flavors and textures. This delightful dessert is made from semolina (sooji), ghee (clarified butter), sugar, and water, infused with aromatic spices like cardamom and garnished with nuts. Kesari Bath is not only a treat for the taste buds but also a feast for the eyes with its vibrant yellow color.

Let's go through a step-by-step guide on how to make this delectable dish at home, so you can savor the authentic flavors of South India in your own kitchen.

Ingredients

• 4 cups water
• A few strands of saffron (optional)
• 1 teaspoon warm milk
• 1 cup white semolina
• ¾ cup jaggery or granulated sugar
• ¼ cup pineapple chunks (optional)
• 1 tablespoon cardamom powder
• 1 cup ghee or butter
• ¼ cup chopped cashew nuts
• ¼ cup white raisins

How To Prepare

1. Bring the water to a boil.
2. Soak the saffron in the warm milk.
3. Lightly toast the semolina in a deep-bottom pot. When the semolina is golden brown, add the boiling water, stirring continuously to avoid lumps.
4. Add the sugar, pineapple, and cardamom to the mix while stirring.
5. Keep stirring well, and cook on low heat until the mixture comes together well.
6. Heat the ghee or butter in a separate pan, add cashews, and fry to golden brown.
7. Add raisins and fry for a few seconds until they swell up.
8. Add the nuts and raisins to the kesari.
9. Add the saffron milk along with the saffron, and mix well.
10. Serve hot.

Nutritional Values (per serving)

Kesari is not just a dessert; it's a celebration of flavors that brings joy to any occasion. Whether you choose to stick to the traditional semolina base or experiment with rice variations, this dish is sure to delight your taste buds. Remember to serve it hot for that melt-in-the-mouth experience that makes kesari so beloved in Indian cuisine.