SHEER KHURMA | HOW TO MAKE SHEER KHURMA

Sheer Khurma stands as a time-honored delight, boasting a luscious and velvety vermicelli pudding infused with the goodness of seviyan, milk, dates, sugar, and an abundant array of dried fruits and nuts. This delightful dessert can be relished both in its warm, comforting form and as a chilled, refreshing treat.

Sheer Khurma is one of the most cherished desserts of Eid al-Fitr, a significant Muslim festival that marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan. It serves as a traditional and delightful breakfast on the morning of Eid, following the prayers, and continues to be enjoyed as a dessert throughout the day during the celebrations.

This sweet and creamy delicacy boasts a rich flavor and a delightful blend of creamy and crunchy textures, making it an ideal addition to the Eid al-Fitr feast. Sharing Sheer Khurma with family and friends is considered a way to spread happiness and strengthen relationships within the community.

Sheer Khurma is popularly enjoyed in India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Central Asia, and the Middle East. The name “sheer khurma” originates from Persian words, translating to “milk with dates,” and is equivalent to the Bangladeshi dessert known as “shemai.” In Urdu and Hindi, it is also commonly referred to as “seviyan” and is recognized as vermicelli in English and other languages.

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WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE

Sheer khurma is a delightful dessert with a creamy and rich texture, thanks to the use of whole full-fat milk and a mix of dry fruits and nuts like cashews, pistachios, almonds, dates, raisins, and anjeer.

This delectable dish is not only flavorful but also carries a pleasant fragrance.

Moreover, the addition of dates, raisins, and anjeer not only enhances the sweetness of the kheer but also brings along various health benefits.

It’s a fantastic and simple dessert option, perfect for special occasions such as weddings, birthdays, and festive celebrations like Eid, Diwali, and Christmas.

INGREDIENTS

Ghee: Ghee enhances flavor and aids in roasting dried fruits, nuts, and vermicelli.

Dried Fruits and Nuts: Dried Fruits and Nuts are essential ingredients for making the traditional shahi khurma recipe, providing a unique sweetness that sets it apart from regular Kheer. You can choose from dry, Medjool, or fresh dates, along with cashews, pistachios, almonds, raisins, anjeer, chironji seeds (charoli or almondette), and more.

Vermicelli: If you have unroasted vermicelli, dry roast them on a medium flame for 4 to 6 minutes until they are evenly roasted and aromatic.

Full-fat whole milk: ensures a rich and creamy kheer, avoid using 2% or skim milk.

Sugar: adds sweetness to your kheer.

Cardamom powder and Saffron: provide the traditional flavor to the kheer.

Check the recipe card below for the complete list of ingredients and measurements.

How to Make Sheer Khurma Recipe

Heat ghee in a pan over medium heat. Add chopped nuts, raisins, and dates to the pan.

Cook for 1-2 minutes until nuts are fragrant and turn golden brown. Raisins will plump up. Remove nuts from the pan and set aside.

In the same pan, add seviyan (vermicelli) and mix well.

Roast the seviyan for about 3 minutes until it turns light golden brown in color.

Now, you can optionally add the khoya/mawa and roast it for 1-2 minutes.

Next, pour the milk into the pan and stir. Increase the heat to medium-high and wait for the milk to boil. Stir regularly to prevent the vermicelli from sticking to the bottom of the pan.

Once the milk starts boiling, reduce the heat to medium and let it boil for about 8 minutes.

After 8 minutes, the milk will thicken slightly. At this stage, add the sugar and mix it in.

Return the fried nuts to the pan and combine. Next, incorporate the rose water and cardamom powder.

Allow it to cook for an additional 2-3 minutes on medium-low heat, then switch off the heat.

Enjoy Sheer Khurma warm or chilled. I prefer it cold!

Tips on Making Sheer Khurma

Use whole milk for the best results; fat-free or 1% milk won’t yield the same outcome.

To thicken the pudding as it cools, consider adding a bit of milk before serving. The thickness is up to your personal preference.

Be cautious with the sugar amount; dates and raisins contribute to the sweetness, so add 1 tablespoon at a time and adjust as needed.

For an authentic Sheer Khurma, ensure you include plenty of nuts and dried fruits, especially dates, which are essential.

To enhance the richness and flavor, you can add khoya (dried milk solids) – it’s optional but recommended.

The consistency of Sheer Khurma varies by preference; if you like it thick, follow the recipe as is. For a thinner version, use only 3/4 cup of vermicelli and more milk.

FAQs

Why do Muslims eat sheer khurma on Eid?

During Eid celebrations, Sheer Khurma is a traditional dish served as a dessert or breakfast to display hospitality and share happiness with loved ones and friends.

How is sheer khurma served?

Sheer khurma can be enjoyed cold or warm. Add extra dried fruits and nuts for more flavor and texture, and a drop of rose water for a delightful fragrance.

What to do if milk curdles while making kheer?

If milk curdles while making kheer, remove it from heat immediately. Transfer the kheer to a different container, leaving the curdled portion behind. Start again with fresh milk, stirring continuously on low heat until the kheer is ready.

RECIPE CARD