Dassera-Vijayadashmi Special: Microwave Sheera

Ingredients: coarse sooji (rava), ghee, milk, saffron, cardamom powder, crushed almonds, water, golden raisins.

Process: 

• Before starting, soak saffron in a table spoon of cold milk. It should turn yellow in a few minutes. 
• In any microwaveable container, add rava and a little bit of ghee. The rava should be a fourth of the depth of the container or less. 
• Microwave for 1.5-2 mins. Stir to mix in ghee. The rava should now be golden or pearl colored (see picture). 
• Add the saffron milk, water to about half the depth of the container, cardamom powder, raisins, crushed almonds and stick into microwave for about 4-5 minutes. Remove and stir. 
• At this point you can tell how close the rava is to being cooked. Add some more water, salt (yes salt! It brings out the flavors nicely) and sugar as per taste and mix. Now microwave again with a slightly uncovered lid on. 
• After the sheera is ready, I also add a banana. Sometimes instead of sugar, I add sugar substitute per serving. 

Happy Dassera 2013! 🙏