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    Paal Kesari | Sooji Halwa

    September 30, 2014 By Vidya Srinivasan 60 Comments

    69 shares
    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

    Paal Kesari is a tasty Indian sweet. Milk gives nice flavour to the kesari. Paal kesari can be easily made in Stove top and pressure cooker.

    Kesari is one of the common sweets prepared at home. Having a sweet tooth, sis and I ask Amma to frequently prepare kesari with any snack like bhajji, pakoda , Bonda etc. My mom used to tease us asking "Entha Mapalai varar ungala parka ;-)"

    In our culture, there was a trend when bride and groom meet for first time, kesari is served. Kesari is usually prepared with water, but replacing water with milk gives a good taste. 

    I have posted  easy pressure cooker Kesari. This one is rich and tastes paal (milk)kesari. Traditionally Paal kesari is prepared without food color,Saffron gives nice yellow color. My son got used to enjoying orange kesari so I sometimes add orange color for my Paal kesari too. Rava laddu is yer another favorite sweet prepared with sooji



    I initially posted Paal kesari recipe with stove top method but offlate I have been using my Instant pot a lot so recently I updated the recipe with IP. I common problem while making kesari is lumpness that comes after adding sugar. Without much stirring Instant pot makes a tasty creamy paal kesari without any lump.

    Instant pot Paal kesari

    ✅ Kesari without any lump

    ✅ 10 minutes cooking

    ✅ Stays good for 2 days

    ✅ Instant pot  cooking

    ✅Rich and creamy 


    Paal Kesari | Sooji Halwa - Instant pot

    5 from 2 votes
    Print Pin Comment
    Course: Sweet
    Cuisine: Indian
    Author: Vidya Srinivasan

    Ingredients

    • Rava Sooji/Semolina - 1 cup
    • Sugar - 2 cups + 1/2 cup Adjust according to your taste
    • Milk - 2 cups + 1/2 cup
    • Butter / Ghee - 4 tablespoon + 1 tbsp
    • Cardamom powder - 1/4 tsp
    • Nuts and raisin - to garnish I used cashew
    • Saffron - few strands

    Instructions

    • Turn on Instant pot in sauté mode
    • Add butter and let it melts
    • Add cashew and sauté till cashews turns golden brown
    • Add raisins and give it quick mix
    • Transfer the nuts and raisins into a cup
    • Add Rava and sauté well
    • Mix well and sauté to avoid Rava from turning brown
    • Sauté for 2 minutes, turn off IP
    • Add sugar and mix well
    • Add pinch of salt and cardamom powder; mix well
    • Add hot boiling milk. Mix well and deglaze the IP well
    • Add few saffron and mix well
    • Add butter and close the IP lid. Pressure cook for 4 minutes in LP
    • NPR. Mix the kesari well and add sautéd nuts and raisins . Instant pot Paal Kesari is ready😊

    Video

    Subscribe to my YouTube channelCheck out Traditionally Modern Food!

    Notes

    1. Adjust sugar according to your taste
    2. Pinch of food color can be added (I didn’t add any food color for instant pot kesari)
    3. Adjust butter according to your preference. Kesari can be prepared even with just 1 teaspoon of butter or without any butter 
    4. Always add hot boiling milk. Room temperature or warm milk won’t give the same texture kesari
    5. Regular kesari can be prepared in the same way using instant pot. Use hot boiling water (kettle auto cut off water) instead of milk
    6. Deglaze the IP well to avoid the kesari from getting burn
    7. If the instant pot shows burnt it means rava/sugar stuck to the pot. Release the pressure immediately 
    8. Make sure the pressure setting is low. High pressure will burn the pot
    9. Milk quantity may vary according to the Rava 
    Tried this recipe?Mention @traditionallymodernfood or tag #traditionallymodernfood!


    Ingredients
    :

    Rava (Sooji)/Semolina - 1 cup

    Sugar - 2 cups + 1/2 cup (Adjust according to your taste)

    Milk - 2 cups + 1/2 cup

    Butter / Ghee - 4 tablespoon + 1 tbsp

    Cardamom powder - 1/4 tsp

    Nuts and raisin - to garnish (I used cashew)

    Saffron - few strands:

    How to make Paal kesar in instant pot method with step by step pictures:

    • Turn on Instant pot in sauté mode

    • Add butter and let it melts

    • Add cashew and sauté till cashews turns golden brown

    • Add raisins and give it quick mix

    • Transfer the nuts and raisins into a cup
    • Add Rava and sauté well

    • Mix well and sauté to avoid Rava from turning brown
    • Sauté for 2 minutes, turn off IP
    • Add sugar and mix well

    • Add pinch of salt and cardamom powder; mix well

    • Add hot boiling milk. Mix well and deglaze the IP well




    • Add few saffron and mix well

    • Add butter and close the IP lid. Pressure cook for 4 minutes in LP

    • NPR. Mix the kesari well and add sautéd nuts and raisins . Instant pot Paal Kesari is ready😊

    Paal Kesari | Sooji Halwa

    Paal Kesari is a tasty Indian sweet prepared with rava/ sooji. It can be easily prepared in Instant pot
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Comment
    Course: Sweet
    Cuisine: Indian
    Author: Vidya Srinivasan

    Ingredients

    • Rava Sooji/Semolina - 1 cup
    • Sugar - 2 + 1/2 cup Adjust according to your taste
    • Milk - 2 cup + 1/2 cup
    • Butter / Ghee - 4 tablespoon + 1 tbsp
    • Cardamom powder - 1/4 tsp
    • 40 grams Cashew nuts
    • 25 grams raisins
    • few saffron

    Instructions

    • Add 1 tablespoon of ghee and roast nuts and raisins till they are golden brown, and set aside
    • In the same pan dry roast the rava for 2 minutes (Roast them till aroma comes) and transfer it to a plate.
    • In medium flame add milk to the same pan and when milk starts boiling add the rava and stir continously to avoid lumps
    • Continue cooking till its cooked. Check whether Rava is cooked before adding sugar
    • Add sugar, and cook till sugar melts completely and Kesari thickens. stir it occassionally
    • Add butter and food color, continue cooking till food color dissolves and mixs completely
    • Turn off when kesari separates from the pan. Add nuts and raisins, and serve the Kesari hot/cold. Kesari thickens with time so switch it off accordingly

    Video

    Subscribe to my YouTube channelCheck out Traditionally Modern Food!

    Notes

    1. Instead of adding food color at the end can also add them while boiling milk. I have used orange food color instead yellow, green or any other food color can be used
    2. I have used brown sugar instead white sugar can also be used
    3.  Can add almond/vanilla/pineapple extract or any other essence for taste
    4. Saffron can also be added
    5.  Pachai karpuram can also be added for flavour
    Tried this recipe?Mention @traditionallymodernfood or tag #traditionallymodernfood!

    How to make Paal kesari in Stove top with step by step pictures: 

    • Add 1 tablespoon of ghee and roast nuts and raisins till they are golden brown, and set aside

    IMG_0487

    • In the same pan dry roast the rava for 2 minutes (Roast them till aroma comes) and transfer it to a plate.

    IMG_0488

    • In medium flame add milk to the same pan and when milk starts boiling add the rava and stir continously to avoid lumps

    © TraditionallyModernFood

    • Continue cooking till its cooked. Check whether Rava is cooked before adding sugar

    IMG_0491

    • Add sugar, and cook till sugar melts completely and Kesari thickens. stir it occassionally

    IMG_0492

    • Add butter and food color, continue cooking till food color dissolves and mixs completely

    IMG_0493

    IMG_0494

    • Turn off when kesari separates from the pan. Add nuts and raisins, and serve the Kesari hot/cold. Kesari thickens with time so switch it off accordingly

    IMG_0512

     

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Bonnie Eng

      September 30, 2014 at 10:26 pm

      Beautiful recipe, love the orange color!

      Reply
      • Traditionally Modern Food

        September 30, 2014 at 10:34 pm

        Thanku Bonnie:-)

        Reply
    2. Ema Jones

      September 30, 2014 at 10:26 pm

      Yummy Semolina treat! Can I use coconut sugar instead of Brown sugar?

      Reply
      • Traditionally Modern Food

        September 30, 2014 at 10:35 pm

        Yes Ema you use coconut sugar instead of brown sugar:-)

        Reply
        • Ema Jones

          October 07, 2014 at 11:45 am

          Actually, I love the coconut flavor. Happy Cooking 🙂

          Reply
    3. colemangrady79

      September 30, 2014 at 10:30 pm

      Sounds lovely I like the mixture of nuts and raisens thanks for sharing

      Reply
      • Traditionally Modern Food

        September 30, 2014 at 10:34 pm

        Thanku:-) nuts gave nice texture and taste to the dish

        Reply
    4. simplyvegetarian777

      September 30, 2014 at 10:41 pm

      Yummm

      Reply
      • Traditionally Modern Food

        September 30, 2014 at 11:04 pm

        Thanku Sonal:-)

        Reply
    5. Shamim

      September 30, 2014 at 10:44 pm

      A bowl of kesari would 'hit the spot right now'. Thanks for making me drool 🙂

      Reply
      • Traditionally Modern Food

        September 30, 2014 at 11:04 pm

        Glad you liked it:-) agree its so addictive

        Reply
    6. Liz

      September 30, 2014 at 11:05 pm

      so pretty! And looks healthy, too 🙂 I'd eat it for breakfast!

      Reply
      • Traditionally Modern Food

        September 30, 2014 at 11:09 pm

        Thanks Liz:-)

        Reply
    7. srividhya

      October 01, 2014 at 12:07 am

      yum.. Love the texture 🙂

      Reply
      • Traditionally Modern Food

        November 11, 2014 at 4:02 pm

        Thanku Sri:-)

        Reply
    8. Chitra Jagadish

      October 01, 2014 at 1:11 am

      Wow scrumptious and elegant kesari.... love it...

      Reply
      • Traditionally Modern Food

        November 11, 2014 at 4:01 pm

        Thanku Chitra:-)

        Reply
    9. tortadellafiglia

      October 01, 2014 at 2:18 am

      wow! I've never tried anything like this! i totally love the color! Sounds delicious to me!

      Reply
      • Traditionally Modern Food

        November 11, 2014 at 4:03 pm

        Thanku:-)

        Reply
    10. shalzzzzz

      October 01, 2014 at 2:38 am

      Lovely! I will prepare this soon. I have only white sugar though 🙁

      Reply
      • Traditionally Modern Food

        October 01, 2014 at 4:14 pm

        Thanks Shalz:-) you can prepare it with white sugar as well infact traditionally its prepared with white sugar

        Reply
    11. cpriya78

      October 01, 2014 at 3:09 am

      Delicious. .my kutty love it 🙂

      Reply
      • Traditionally Modern Food

        October 01, 2014 at 4:13 pm

        Thanku dear:-)

        Reply
    12. skd

      October 01, 2014 at 7:49 am

      My grandmom used to make this for me. Oh! You made me nostalgic 🙂

      Reply
      • Traditionally Modern Food

        October 01, 2014 at 4:13 pm

        Thanku Skd:-) grandma recipes are always best

        Reply
    13. Malar

      October 01, 2014 at 11:58 am

      Never tried with milk always water, gonna try it soon!! Looks so rich dear 🙂 Yum!!!

      Reply
      • Traditionally Modern Food

        October 01, 2014 at 3:57 pm

        Thanku dear:-) sure do try Malar

        Reply
    14. MamaD1xx4xy

      October 01, 2014 at 12:24 pm

      This sounds wonderful!

      Reply
      • Traditionally Modern Food

        October 01, 2014 at 3:56 pm

        Thanku:-)

        Reply
    15. Fatima Nayani

      October 01, 2014 at 2:18 pm

      Yum Yum..!! Last pic is looking like Phirni.. Mouth watering..!

      Reply
      • Traditionally Modern Food

        October 01, 2014 at 3:56 pm

        Thanku Fatima:-)

        Reply
    16. platedujour

      October 01, 2014 at 2:58 pm

      It looks truly delicious and probably it would make a great start of the day. Is it like a sort of pudding? I'm so weak when comes to sweet foods, I just can't resist 🙂 but you know my sister says, true we could live without sweets, but what kind of life would that be 😀

      Reply
      • Traditionally Modern Food

        October 01, 2014 at 3:55 pm

        Thanku Marta:-) I agree even I can't imagine life without sweets..oh ya its a semolina puddinf

        Reply
    17. sindhoooo

      October 02, 2014 at 8:07 am

      Wow! It looks very cheerful! Orange is such a lively colour!
      TC! Keep smiling 🙂

      Reply
      • Traditionally Modern Food

        November 11, 2014 at 4:01 pm

        Thanku Sindhu:-)

        Reply
    18. Stephanie

      October 02, 2014 at 5:42 pm

      This looks so delicious!

      Reply
      • Traditionally Modern Food

        November 11, 2014 at 4:00 pm

        Thanku Stephanie:-)

        Reply
    19. Priya

      October 03, 2014 at 9:18 am

      Very inviting n droolworthy paal kesari, feel like inviting myself to ur place.

      Reply
      • Traditionally Modern Food

        November 11, 2014 at 4:00 pm

        Thanku Priya:-)

        Reply
    20. Jayanthisindhiya

      October 03, 2014 at 8:58 pm

      Wow adding milk instead of water,sounds good,going to try

      Reply
      • Traditionally Modern Food

        November 11, 2014 at 4:00 pm

        Thanku

        Reply
    21. swathi

      October 04, 2014 at 10:57 pm

      Looks delicious Paal kesari love it.

      Reply
      • Traditionally Modern Food

        November 11, 2014 at 3:59 pm

        Thanku Swathi:-)

        Reply
    22. spiceinthecity

      October 05, 2014 at 3:57 am

      Kesari with puri! Yummy Vidya 🙂

      Reply
      • Traditionally Modern Food

        November 11, 2014 at 3:59 pm

        Thanku Naina:-)

        Reply
    23. ritu

      October 06, 2014 at 4:28 am

      This looks yummy. Beautiful color. 🙂

      Reply
    24. Sony P

      October 06, 2014 at 9:49 am

      Rich and divine kesari........lovely!

      Reply
    25. coconutcraze

      October 07, 2014 at 8:32 am

      I have someone who loves this...so i am inspired to make it by just looking at your pics. Adding milk is a new twist!

      Reply
    26. Baking Magique

      October 14, 2014 at 2:19 pm

      What a lovely blog you have!

      Reply
      • Traditionally Modern Food

        November 11, 2014 at 3:58 pm

        Thanku

        Reply
    27. The Gastronomic Bong

      October 15, 2014 at 4:59 pm

      This looks so delicious.. Love the orange hue.. 🙂

      Reply
    28. Liz

      October 21, 2014 at 7:04 pm

      I love Indian sweets and desserts. Always a pleasure to eat and healthy too!

      Reply
    29. platedujour

      October 22, 2014 at 4:01 pm

      Is anyone there? ?

      Reply
      • Traditionally Modern Food

        November 11, 2014 at 3:57 pm

        Hi Marta, thanks for stopping by and pinging:-) everything is fine at my side

        Reply
    30. thehungrymum

      October 28, 2014 at 3:38 pm

      What lovely presentation! It looks so chic & delish.

      Reply
    31. Indian Curry Shack (By Anugya Sudan Oberai)

      October 31, 2014 at 4:15 am

      Lovely pictures and recipe, Vidya! I am already drooling over your Paal Kesari. Should try this one very soon! Have a wonderful day ahead! 🙂

      Reply
    32. Bikramjit

      November 03, 2014 at 6:45 am

      yum yum yum .... heyyyyyyyyyyyyy how you doing

      Reply
      • Traditionally Modern Food

        November 11, 2014 at 3:55 pm

        Thanku:-) I am fine thanks for your concern

        Reply
    33. Liz

      November 11, 2014 at 8:50 pm

      I was wondering what Rava is but then I saw sooji or semolina, which are the names I'm familiar with. I think I want to try this. It's quite simple to make. I shall give you a feedback!

      Reply
      • Traditionally Modern Food

        November 11, 2014 at 11:01 pm

        Do try and let me know Liz:-)

        Reply
    5 from 2 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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