Apple Kesari with Nutmeg

Apple Kesari with Nutmeg.
             We don't want to stuff ourselves and our guests with a dessert which is laden with sugar n ghee, takes hours to cook and which takes even more hours to digest. Especially after a simple flavourful meal we want something simple but just as tasty . The answer "Apple kesari".
           


             I found this recipe in "Samaiyal Samraajyam" by "Arusuvai Arasu Natrajan". We all know that he his a very famous cook know for his "Chettinad" and "Annaprasadham" dishes for "Kanchimadam and Thirupathi Darmashala". There is so much to write about him that I could have a new page [I will in future]
          
             This is a twist to the original kesari which is a speciality of a brahmin kitchen, quick to make and tastes fantastic. The addition of fresh fruit, nutmeg and almonds to a simple dessert turns it into a divine one.
Serves : 4-5 people.
Prep time : 10 mins.
Cooking time : 10 mins


For the kesari:
Cooking apple [medium] :1
Rawa: 1 cup.
Sugar: 1 cup.
Hot Water: 3cups.
Saffron threads: 2 pinches.
Milk: 3 tbsp.
Nutmeg powder : 2 pinches
Almond flakes; 1 tbsp.
Raisins: 1 tbsp.
Ghee: 4 tbsp.




1.In 1 tbsp of ghee fry the almond flakes and raisins. Keep aside.
2.Soak the saffron in the warm milk.
3.Peel, core and chop the apple. Keep aside.
4.Heat 1 tbsp of ghee in a kadai and add the rawa. Heat through until you have a pleasant aroma coming through.
5.Add the water. Keep stirring as there should not be any lumps.
6.Once the rawa is cooked add the sugar, nutmeg and the saffron soaked in milk and mix well.
7.The mix will become watery first but will come together in a few minutes.
8.Add the raisins, almonds, chopped apples and the rest of the ghee and mix well.
9.Once the mix starts to leave the side remove from flame.
10.Serve warm.

You can substitute fresh pineapple instead of apples and add a few drops of pineapple essence for a completely different flavour.

Enjoy....

Scribbled by Reva.