Kesari bath / Shira

Kesari bath or Shira is served in almost all restaurants in South India. It is also an integral part of festivities/puja/family functions. The best combination with Kesari bath is the Rava Uppittu (Upma). In Karnataka, this combo is called Chow Chow bath (Kesari Bath+Khara Bath) which rules the eateries. In northern part of India it goes with the name Sooji Halwa, which is prepared in much simpler form with less (or without) ghee and without adding color.

Ingredients:

Rava / Sooji 1 cup

Sugar 1 cup

Water 2cups

Ghee / Clarified Butter 4 tbsp

Cardamom powder 1/2 tbsp

Food color (Yellow / Orange) a pinch

Dry Fruits 1 tbsp

Fruits (optional) - Grapes / Banana / Pineapple / Apple

Procedure:

1. Take 2tbsp ghee in a pan and fry the dry fruits and remove. In the remaining ghee fry the Rava until it turns light brown.

2. Take another vessel, boil the water. At this point add cardamom powder, fried dry furits and food color. Let the water boil

3. Pour the fried Rava slowly while stirring. Let it cook for couple of minutes. Then add sugar and continue stirring, so that no lumps are formed.Cook until the whole mixture becomes thick, this shouldn't take much time.

Add 2tbsp of ghee and mix well. Serve hot.

Note :Fruit pieces can be added after adding sugar.