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If you’re a beginner dessert maker looking to make something desi, always start with sooji. There’s no better dessert base than the humble but versatile semolina. Sooji is quick and easy to cook, making it convenient for preparing desserts, especially for large gatherings or last-minute occasions. It requires minimal preparation and cooks relatively quickly, allowing desserts to be made in a short amount of time without compromising on flavour or quality. This ease of cooking makes sooji desserts accessible to home cooks of all skill levels.
Moreover, it readily absorbs flavours from other ingredients, allowing it to take on the taste of spices, sweeteners, and aromatic components used in desserts. Whether infused with fragrant spices like cardamom and saffron or flavoured with nuts and dried fruits, sooji enhances the overall flavour profile of desserts, making them more complex and delicious. Here are some easy Indian desserts made with sooji.
Sooji Halwa
There’s no better semolina dessert than the classic halwa. Made from semolina, ghee, sugar, and water, flavoured with cardamom and garnished with nuts and dried fruits. To prepare sooji halwa, semolina is roasted in ghee until golden brown, then simmered in a syrup made from sugar and water until it reaches a thick, pudding-like consistency. The addition of cardamom adds a warm, aromatic flavour, while the nuts and dried fruits provide texture and sweetness. Sooji halwa is often served as a festive treat during celebrations and special occasions, and the best part is its recipe can be simplified for beginners.
Rava Kesari
This popular South Indian dessert is made from semolina, sugar, ghee, and water, and flavoured with saffron and cardamom. The vibrant yellow hue of rava kesari comes from the addition of saffron threads, which infuse the pudding with its distinctive colour and aroma. To make rava kesari, semolina is roasted in ghee until fragrant, then cooked in a syrup made from sugar and water until it thickens. Saffron is added to the syrup to impart its characteristic flavour and colour, while cardamom adds a hint of spice. Rava kesari is served as a dessert or sweet snack during festivals, weddings, and other special occasions, and it is widely appreciated for its rich, indulgent taste and melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Sooji Ladoo
Sooji laddoo is made from semolina, ghee, sugar, and flavoured with cardamom and nuts. To prepare sooji laddoo, semolina is roasted in ghee until golden brown, then mixed with powdered sugar, cardamom, and chopped nuts such as almonds, cashews, or pistachios. The mixture is then shaped into small balls or ladoos and allowed to cool and set. Sooji ladoo is loved for its delicate texture, aromatic flavour, and irresistible sweetness. It is often served as a festive treat during Diwali, weddings, and other celebrations, and it is a favourite among both children and adults for its delicious taste and nostalgic appeal.
Rava Payasam
Rava payasam, also known as semolina kheer, is a creamy and comforting sweet treat made from semolina, milk, sugar, and flavoured with cardamom and nuts. To prepare rava payasam, semolina is roasted in ghee until golden brown, then cooked in milk until it thickens and becomes creamy. Sugar is added to sweeten the pudding, while cardamom adds a fragrant aroma. Chopped nuts such as almonds, cashews, or raisins are often added for texture and flavour. Rava payasam is enjoyed warm or chilled and is served as a dessert at weddings, festivals, and other special occasions. Its creamy consistency and rich, indulgent flavour.
