Kelyacha Sheera

Certain occasions and festivals remind us of certain dishes and tastes. Ganpati festival reminds us of modaks, Diwali of ladoo and chivda, Christmas of cakes and puddings, and Sankranti of sesame ladoos. Similarly, Satyanarayan pooja reminds me of semolina sheera loaded with ghee and nuts. Maharashtrians perform Satyanarayan pooja to mark the beginning of something auspicious. When something good is about happen, this pooja is performed to pray to God that it takes place without any calamity. Similarly, when a good event has taken place, this pooja is performed to thank God.

Kelyacha sheera is made as a 'prasad' for Satyanarayan pooja. Loaded with ghee and raisins, the sheera tastes delicious and is served in small paper cups. Each of the main ingredients is used in multiples of 1.5 for making this sheera. This number is considered auspicious and so everything is in multiples of 1.5.

We used to ask for this prasad again and again, forgetting that it is a prasad, expected to devor in small quantity. You can go easy on the ghee if you are calorie conscious. You can skip the banana and make simple semolina sheera. If you are making this for Satyanarayan pooja, take 1.5 cups each of rava, sugar, and ghee.

Kelyacha Sheera/Banana Sheera
Serves:5-6

Ingredients:

1. 1 cup ghee
2. 1 cup rava/semolina
3. 1 yellow banana
4. 1 cup sugar
5. 3 cups milk
6. 1 tbsp raisins
7. 1 tbsp cashew pieces
8. 1 tsp cardamom powder

Method:

1. Peel and cut the banana into slices. Boil the milk in a pan.
2. Heat the ghee in another pan over medium flame.
3. Add the banana slices and fry till they turn light brown. Add raisins and cashew pieces. Fry for a minute or two.
4. Next add the rava and fry till it turns light brown.
5. Add the boiled milk and mix well. Cover and cook for 3-4 minutes.
6. Add the sugar, mix together, and cook for 5-7 minutes.
7. Let the sheera cool down. Once it is cooled, add cardamom powder and mix.

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This is my entry for JFI: Banana hosted by Mandira of Ahar. Thanks Mandira for hosting this lovely event.
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