Sheera / Sooji Ka Halwa ( Semolina Pudding)

Sheera also called as sooji ka halwa in North India (semolina pudding)  is a Maharashtrian dessert made with semolina, sugar, milk, nuts and saffron. It is easy to make, can be made at a short notice and is totally delicious. Sheera is usually served as 'prasad' at Hindu religious ceremony called 'pooja'. In Maharashtra, when Sheera is served as a prasad, banana is usually added to it and this version with banana added is called prasadacha sheera in Marathi ( a language spoken in the state of Maharashtra, India). 

Semolina is made with durum wheat and is digested slowly which helps you feel full longer and prevents over eating. One cup of semolina has about 6.5 grams of fiber which is about 26% of your daily requirement of fiber. Here is the recipe for this delicious sheera and the nutrition summary for a cup of semolina. Source (fatsecret.com)

Calories 601

Fat 1.75g

Carbs 121.63g

Protein 21.18g

There are 601 calories in 1 cup of Semolina.

Calorie breakdown: 2% fat, 83% carbs, 15% protein.

Sheera (Serves 4)

Sheera (Semolina Pudding)

Ingredients

• 1 cup semolina
• 1 1/4 cup sugar
• 1.5 cups water
• 1 cup low fat milk ( I used 2%)
• 1 banana mashed roughly
• Few strands of saffron
• 1/2 tsp cardamom powder
• 1 tsp Everest milk masala powder (optional)
• 1 tbsp ghee

Method

• Heat ghee in a pan. Add semolina and sauté for about 7-8 minutes on a low stove top setting while stirring occasionally.
• Heat the milk in the microwave in a bowl and add saffron to the warm milk. Keep aside.
• Heat the water.
• Once the semolina is roasted and changes colour, add the milk and hot water, a little at a time. Mix well and stir the mixture for a minute or two till the liquid is absorbed.
• Add cardamom powder, milk masala, sugar and mix well. Once sugar is added the mixture will ooze some liquid.
• Continue cooking for some time till the liquid is absorbed completely.
• Finally add the mashed banana and mix well. Cook on a slow flame / stove setting for another 5 mins stirring occasionally.
• Serve hot, cold or at room temperature. 

Notes

• Adjust the quantity of sugar as per your taste.
• Adding banana is optional and sheera can be made with out it too.
• Fruits like pineapple or mango can be added to sheera instead of banana as a variation.