Rava Kesari Recipe | How to Make Kesari Bath

Rava kesari also known as kesari bath is a popular south Indian breakfast dessert made of semolina, ghee,saffron,nuts and sugar. Rava meaning semolina and kesari refers to saffron color. It is flavored with cardamom powder.

For best results follow my detailed step-by-step photo instructions and tips.

Prep Time5 minutes

Cook Time15 minutes

Total Time25 minutes

Servings4 people

AuthorSwasthi

Ingredients (1 cup = 240ml )

1 cup semolina or fine rava or suji
¾ to 1 cup sugar (prefer organic)
2 ½ cups water or milk (refer notes)
¼ teaspoon cardamom powder or elaichi powder
2 pinches natural kesari color or saffron strands
5 to 6 tablespoons Ghee or clarified butter (I used 5 tbsps)
12 Cashews (use as needed)
12 raisins (use as needed)

How to make the recipe

Preparation

Heat 2 tbsp ghee in a heavy bottom pot and fry cashews until light golden.
Then add raisins and fry until they swell up. Remove to a plate and set aside.
In the same ghee add the rava and fry on a low to medium heat until aromatic and crunchy.
Do not brown or discolor the rava as the aroma of the rava kesari will change.
While the rava is getting roasted, pour water to another pot and bring it to a boil.

How to Make Rava Kesari

When the water turns boiling hot, slowly pour it to the rava by consistently stirring to prevent lumps.
The water will be absorbed by the semolina soon. Keep stirring and make sure there are no lumps.
When you see there is no excess water in the pan, then cover and cook on a low flame for 2 to 3 mins. This is just to ensure rava is cooked completely and turns fluffy.
Add sugar and mix well. Sugar will dissolve and the entire rava kesari mixture turns gooey.
Keep stirring and cook until the mixture thickens and the moisture is evaporated.
Then sprinkle cardamom powder, saffron or kesari and ghee. I used about 3 tbsp ghee.
Mix well and cook for 2 to 3 mins until the rava kesari leaves the pan. Cover and rest for 2 to 4 mins.
Grease a mould or round cup and then scoop some rava kesari to it. Level the top.
Invert the bowl or mould to a plate. Gently shake off. Garnish rava kesari with cashews and nuts.
You can also fluff up the rava kesari with a fork to make it fluffy.

NUTRITION (estimation only)